MALE SPECIFIC FRU TARGET GENES

在黑腹果蝇中，fruitless（fru）基因位于性别决定层级的分支的顶端，它在中枢神经系统（CNS）的一小部分中起作用，控制雄性求爱行为的各个方面。 Fru，像其他基因在性别决定层次，是性别特异性调节的差异RNA剪接水平。 这项研究的目的是了解男性特有的FRU是如何转录的，它是一种转录因子，创造了男性求爱行为的潜力。 拟议研究的具体目的是从表达雄性特异性FRU的两个发育阶段中鉴定和表征雄性特异性FRU靶基因。 拟议的研究将按以下方式进行。 将分离来自雄性、雌性和fru突变雄性头部的PolyA mRNA并用作模板以制备荧光标记的探针。 果蝇EST cDNA微阵列将用双色荧光标记的探针进行探测，以鉴定与女性大脑相比在男性大脑中更高表达的基因，以及这种更高表达需要男性特异性FRU的基因。 在没有鉴定出足够数量的靶基因的情况下，还提供了探针的替代来源。将分析潜在的雄性特异性FRU靶基因，以确定它们是否在基因上位于fru的下游，并确定它们在产生雄性求爱行为潜力方面的遗传功能。

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.