Genetic Basis of Drosophila Head Development

果蝇的同源异型基因就像开关一样， 一个细分市场将遵循的发展路径。这些基因编码 转录因子被认为是指定片段 通过调节其他靶基因来识别。靶基因 将建立个体的片段特征。虽然 关于同源异型基因的了解很多，关于同源异型基因的了解很少。 它们控制的基因或同源异型基因产物如何在 许多靶基因。在过去的两年里，一个基因 使用插入诱变标记基因进行搜索 头部发育所需。目标是识别基因 调节或被那些同源异型基因产物所调节 以建立正确的幼虫头节身份。三个基因， 具有表明它们是 由同源异型基因编码的蛋白质的靶标，变形， 被选中进行进一步研究。一种基因和分子 这三个基因的特征正在进行中，以确定 它们在幼虫头部发育过程中的作用。此外，本发明还提供了一种方法， 实验正在进行中，以测试是否调节变形 是直接的未来的实验将使用这些基因作为模型， 研究同源异型蛋白对靶基因的选择。

The homeotic genes of Drosophila act as switches selecting the developmental pathway a segment will follow. These genes encode transcription factors which are thought to specify segment identity by regulating other, target genes. The target genes would establish individual segmental characteristics. Although much is known about the homeotic genes, little is known about the genes they control or how the homeotic gene products select among their many target genes. During the past two years, a genetic search was undertaken using insertional mutagenesis to tag genes required for head development. The goal was to identify genes regulating or regulated by those homeotic gene products required to establish proper larval head segment identity. Three genes, having expression or phenotypic qualities suggesting they are targets of the protein encoded by the homeotic gene, Deformed, were chosen for further study. A genetic and molecular characterization of these three genes is in progress to determine their role during development of the larval head. In addition, experiments are underway to test whether regulation of Deformed is direct. Future experiments will use these genes as models to study target gene selection by the homeotic proteins.