MALE SPECIFIC FRU TARGET GENES

在果蝇中，无果(Fru)基因位于性别决定层次结构的一个分支的顶部，该分支在中枢神经系统(CNS)的一小部分中发挥作用，控制雄性求爱行为的所有方面。与性别决定体系中的其他基因一样，FRU在差异RNA剪接水平上受到性别特异性调控。这项拟议的研究的目的是了解男性特有的FRU是如何产生潜在的男性求爱行为的，FRU是一种转录因子。这项研究的具体目的是在表达雄性特有的FRU时，从两个发育阶段鉴定和鉴定雄性特有的FRU靶基因。拟议的研究将如下进行。将从雄性、雌性和fru突变雄性头部分离Polya mRNA，并将其用作模板来制造荧光标记的探针。一个果蝇EST基因芯片将用双色荧光标记的探针进行探测，以确定哪些基因在男性大脑中比女性大脑表达更高，以及哪些基因需要男性特有的FRU来实现更高的表达。如果没有识别出足够数量的靶基因，也提供了其他探针源。潜在的男性特有的FRU靶基因将被分析，以确定它们是否在FRU的基因下游，并确定它们在创造潜在的男性求爱行为方面的遗传功能。

In Drosophila melanogaster the fruitless (fru) gene is at the top of a branch of the sex determination hierarchy that functions in a small part of the central nervous system (CNS) to control all aspects of male courtship behavior. Fru, like other genes in the sex determination hierarchy, is sex-specifically regulated at the level of differential RNA splicing. The goal of the proposed research is to understand how male-specific FRU, which is a transcription factor, creates the potential for male-courtship behavior. The specific aim of the proposed research is the identification and characterization of male-specific FRU target genes from two developmental stages when male-specific FRU is expressed. The proposed research will proceed as follows. PolyA mRNA from heads of males, females and fru mutant males will be isolated and used as a template to make fluorescently labeled probes. A Drosophila EST cDNA microarray will be probed with two-color fluorescently labeled probes to identify genes that are more highly expressed in male brains as compared to female brains, and that required male-specific FRU for this higher expression. Alternative sources of probes are also presented in case a sufficient number of target genes are not identified. Potential male-specific FRU target genes will be analyzed to determine if they are genetically downstream of fru and to determine their genetic function in creating the potential for male courtship behavior.