MALENESS IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

这项提议的目标是了解果蝇雄性所需的基因。第一组研究的目的是在性别决定途径的无果(FRU)分支中寻找额外的基因。这一分支与男性特定求偶行为的发育和/或维持以及男性劳伦斯肌(MOL)的发育有关。使用正确的MOL发育作为视觉工具，各种基因将在神经中表达，这些基因对MOL发育至关重要。如果一个基因在MOL神经元中的表达，在fru突变的背景下，挽救了MOL的发育，那么该基因将被认为是fru途径的一部分。此外，还将进行基因筛查，以确定原始Fru1突变的抑制子突变。第二组实验的目的是为了了解男性的线索，以识别潜在的配偶。一个名为无果刺激因子(FSF)的基因座，当突变时，会产生一种突变的雄性表型，而其他雄性则会大力追求这种表型。正常雄性通常不会受到其他正常雄性的强烈追求。目前的研究已经确定了含有这种突变的区域。数据库分析表明，两个转录区域或单独的一组EST位于非常接近突变的地方。未来的实验将致力于确定两个潜在的转录单位中的哪一个，如果该基因被称为FSF，以及该基因在建立男性发育中的作用。

The goal of this proposal is to understand the genes required for maleness in Drosophila melanogaster. The first set of studies is directed at finding additional genes in the fruitless (fru) branch of the sex-determination pathway. This branch has been implicated in the development and/or maintenance of male specific courtship behavior as well as the development of male specific Muscle of Lawrence (MOL). Using correct MOL development as a visual tool, various genes will be expressed in the nerves that are critical for MOL development. If the expression of a gene in MOL neurons, in a fru mutant background, rescues MOL development then that gene will be considered as part of the fru pathway. IN addition, a genetic screen will be performed to identify suppressor mutations of the original fru1 mutation. The second set of experiments is directed at understanding cues males us to identify potential mates. A locus, fruitless stimulation factor (fsf), when mutated gives rise a mutant phenotype of males which are vigorously courted by other males. Normal males as a rule are not strongly courted by other normal males. Current studies have pinpointed the region that harbors the mutation. Database analysis has demonstrated that two transcribed regions or separate sets of EST's are located very near the mutation. Future experiments will be directed at determining which of t he two potential transcription units if the gene referred to as fsf as well as the role of the gene in the establishment of maleness.