Cellular Communication During Drosophila Development

该提案旨在启动一项研究计划，研究果蝇发育过程中的细胞信号传导。果蝇丰富的遗传信息和易于操作的分子使其成为一个理想的系统，用于解剖涉及许多成分的过程，如信号转导途径。在这里，沃顿博士建议通过遗传和发育分析来阐明新发现的tgf - β样基因60A的功能。基因突变将在F2致死筛选和雄性不育筛选中产生。这些突变体的发育结果将通过直接观察它们的发育、表皮准备、组织学和原位杂交来确定。潜在的遗传相互作用涉及60A和其他基因编码tgf - β信号转导途径的假定成分，如第二个果蝇tgf - β样基因，dpp，将被检查。这些实验的结果将使我们能够更好地理解tgf - β样蛋白在发育过程中细胞间通讯中的作用。

This proposal is intended to initiate a research program to study cell signalling during Drosophila development. The wealth of genetic information and the ease of molecular manipulation in Drosophila make it an ideal system for the dissection of processes involving many components, such as signal transduction pathways. Here Dr. Wharton proposes to elucidate the function of the newly identified TGF-beta like gene, 60A, through genetical and developmental analyses. Mutations in the gene will be generated in an F2 lethal screen and a male sterile screen. The developmental consequences of these mutants will be determined by direct observation of their development, cuticular preparations, histology and in situ hybridizations. Potential genetic interactions involving 60A, and other genes which code for putative components of a TGF-beta signal transduction pathway, such as, a second Drosophila TGF-beta like gene, dpp, will be examined. The results of these experiments will allow us to better understand the roles of TGF-beta like proteins in communication between cells during development.