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Genetics and Genomics

Selected Works

Drosophila

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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Drosophila Let-7 Microrna Is Required For Remodeling Of The Neuromusculature During Metamorphosis, Nicholas S. Sokol, Peizhang Xu, Yuh-Nung Jan, Victor R. Ambros Oct 2015

Drosophila Let-7 Microrna Is Required For Remodeling Of The Neuromusculature During Metamorphosis, Nicholas S. Sokol, Peizhang Xu, Yuh-Nung Jan, Victor R. Ambros

Victor R. Ambros

The Drosophila let-7-Complex (let-7-C) is a polycistronic locus encoding three ancient microRNAs: let-7, miR-100, and fly lin-4 (miR-125). We find that the let-7-C locus is principally expressed in the pupal and adult neuromusculature. let-7-C knockout flies appear normal externally but display defects in adult behaviors (e.g., flight, motility, and fertility) as well as clear juvenile features in their neuromusculature. We find that the function of let-7-C to ensure the appropriate remodeling of the abdominal neuromusculature during the larval-to-adult transition is carried out predominantly by let-7 alone. This heterochronic role of let-7 is likely just one of the ways in which …


Cloning And Expression Analysis Of Drosophila Extracellular Cu Zn Superoxide Dismutase, Michael J. Blackney, Rebecca Cox, David Shepherd, Joel D. Parker Dec 2014

Cloning And Expression Analysis Of Drosophila Extracellular Cu Zn Superoxide Dismutase, Michael J. Blackney, Rebecca Cox, David Shepherd, Joel D. Parker

Joel D Parker

In the present study, we cloned and sequenced the mRNAs of the Sod3 [extracellular Cu Zn SOD (superoxide dismutase)] gene in Drosophila and identified two mRNA products formed by alternative splicing. These products code for a long and short protein derived from the four transcripts found in global expression studies (Flybase numbers Dmel\CG9027, FBgn0033631). Both mRNA process variants contain an extracellular signalling sequence, a region of high homology to the Sod1 (cytoplasmic Cu Zn SOD) including a conserved AUG start, with the longer form also containing a hydrophobic tail. The two fully processed transcripts are homologous to Caenorhabditis elegans Sod3 …


Mesodermally Expressed Drosophila Microrna-1 Is Regulated By Twist And Is Required In Muscles During Larval Growth., Nicholas S. Sokol, Victor R. Ambros Sep 2005

Mesodermally Expressed Drosophila Microrna-1 Is Regulated By Twist And Is Required In Muscles During Larval Growth., Nicholas S. Sokol, Victor R. Ambros

Victor R. Ambros

Although hundreds of evolutionarily conserved microRNAs have been discovered, the functions of most remain unknown. Here, we describe the embryonic spatiotemporal expression profile, transcriptional regulation, and loss-of-function phenotype of Drosophila miR-1 (DmiR-1). DmiR-1 RNA is highly expressed throughout the mesoderm of early embryos and subsequently in somatic, visceral, and pharyngeal muscles, and the dorsal vessel. The expression of DmiR-1 is controlled by the Twist and Mef2 transcription factors. DmiR-1KO mutants, generated using ends-in gene targeting, die as small, immobilized second instar larvae with severely deformed musculature. This lethality is rescued when a DmiR-1 transgene is expressed specifically in the mesoderm …