A Genetic Investigation of Regeneration in Drosophila

描述（由申请人提供）：尽管环境和历史应该阻止增殖，但细胞生长和分裂的一种迷人的生物现象是受损组织的再生。各种生物体和组织都有再生能力，一些组织，如青蛙的四肢和果蝇的幼虫，随着时间的推移会失去再生能力。因此，这些生物含有可以克服细胞正常程序并诱导细胞分裂的基因，以及可以阻止细胞周期进程的基因。这里提出的工作旨在确定调节再生生长的基因。首先，将开发一种测定系统，通过该系统可以对果蝇的再生进行遗传研究。其次，将进行基因筛选，以分离组织消融后影响再生生长的突变。第三，控制这一过程的基因和蛋白质将被识别和表征。调控再生生长的基因也可能调控癌症的发展。在再生和癌症进展过程中特异性调节细胞分裂的基因的鉴定可能提供独特的治疗靶点。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): A fascinating biological phenomenon in which cells grow and divide despite a context and history that should prevent proliferation is the regeneration of damaged tissues. Various organisms and tissues are capable of regenerating, and some tissues such as frog limbs and fruit fly larvae lose their ability to regenerate over time. Therefore, these organisms contain genes that can overcome a cell's normal program and induce cell division, and genes that can prevent this cell cycle progression. The work proposed here is designed to identify genes that regulate regenerative growth. First, an assay system will be developed through which regeneration in Drosophila may be studied genetically. Second, genetic screens will be conducted to isolate mutations that affect regenerative growth after tissue ablation. Third, the genes and proteins that control this process will be identified and characterized. Genes that regulate regenerative growth may also regulate the progression of cancers. The identification of genes that specifically regulate cell division during regeneration and cancer progression may provide unique therapeutic targets.