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Steinmetz EL, Noh S, Klöppel C, Fuhr MF, Bach N, Raffael ME, Hildebrandt K, Wittling F, Jann D, Walldorf U. Generation of Mutants from the 57B Region of Drosophila melanogaster. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2047. [PMID: 38002990 PMCID: PMC10671637 DOI: 10.3390/genes14112047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The 57B region of Drosophila melanogaster includes a cluster of the three homeobox genes orthopedia (otp), Drosophila Retinal homeobox (DRx), and homeobrain (hbn). In an attempt to isolate mutants for these genes, we performed an EMS mutagenesis and isolated lethal mutants from the 57B region, among them mutants for otp, DRx, and hbn. With the help of two newly generated deletions from the 57B region, we mapped additional mutants to specific chromosomal intervals and identified several of these mutants from the 57B region molecularly. In addition, we generated mutants for CG15651 and RIC-3 by gene targeting and mutants for the genes CG9344, CG15649, CG15650, and ND-B14.7 using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. We determined the lethality period during development for most isolated mutants. In total, we analysed alleles from nine different genes from the 57B region of Drosophila, which could now be used to further explore the functions of the corresponding genes in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Louise Steinmetz
- Developmental Biology, ZHMB (Center of Human and Molecular Biology), Saarland University, Building 61, D-66421 Homburg, Germany
- Zoology & Physiology, ZHMB (Center of Human and Molecular Biology), Saarland University, Building B2.1, D-66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Sandra Noh
- Developmental Biology, ZHMB (Center of Human and Molecular Biology), Saarland University, Building 61, D-66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Christine Klöppel
- Developmental Biology, ZHMB (Center of Human and Molecular Biology), Saarland University, Building 61, D-66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Martin F. Fuhr
- Developmental Biology, ZHMB (Center of Human and Molecular Biology), Saarland University, Building 61, D-66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Bach
- Developmental Biology, ZHMB (Center of Human and Molecular Biology), Saarland University, Building 61, D-66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Mona Evelyn Raffael
- Developmental Biology, ZHMB (Center of Human and Molecular Biology), Saarland University, Building 61, D-66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Kirsten Hildebrandt
- Developmental Biology, ZHMB (Center of Human and Molecular Biology), Saarland University, Building 61, D-66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Fabienne Wittling
- Developmental Biology, ZHMB (Center of Human and Molecular Biology), Saarland University, Building 61, D-66421 Homburg, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Saarland University, Building E8.1, D-66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Doris Jann
- Developmental Biology, ZHMB (Center of Human and Molecular Biology), Saarland University, Building 61, D-66421 Homburg, Germany
- Medical Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, ZHMB (Center of Human and Molecular Biology), Saarland University, Building 45.2, D-66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Uwe Walldorf
- Developmental Biology, ZHMB (Center of Human and Molecular Biology), Saarland University, Building 61, D-66421 Homburg, Germany
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Hamid A, Gutierrez A, Munroe J, Syed MH. The Drivers of Diversity: Integrated genetic and hormonal cues regulate neural diversity. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 142:23-35. [PMID: 35915026 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Proper functioning of the nervous system relies not only on the generation of a vast repertoire of distinct neural cell types but also on the precise neural circuitry within them. How the generation of highly diverse neural populations is regulated during development remains a topic of interest. Landmark studies in Drosophila have identified the genetic and temporal cues regulating neural diversity and thus have provided valuable insights into our understanding of temporal patterning of the central nervous system. The development of the Drosophila central complex, which is mostly derived from type II neural stem cell (NSC) lineages, showcases how a small pool of NSCs can give rise to vast and distinct progeny. Similar to the human outer subventricular zone (OSVZ) neural progenitors, type II NSCs generate intermediate neural progenitors (INPs) to expand and diversify lineages that populate higher brain centers. Each type II NSC has a distinct spatial identity and timely regulated expression of many transcription factors and mRNA binding proteins. Additionally, INPs derived from them show differential expression of genes depending on their birth order. Together type II NSCs and INPs display a combinatorial temporal patterning that expands neural diversity of the central brain lineages. We cover advances in current understanding of type II NSC temporal patterning and discuss similarities and differences in temporal patterning mechanisms of various NSCs with a focus on how cell-intrinsic and extrinsic hormonal cues regulate temporal transitions in NSCs during larval development. Cell extrinsic ligands activate conserved signaling pathways and extrinsic hormonal cues act as a temporal switch that regulate temporal progression of the NSCs. We conclude by elaborating on how a progenitor's temporal code regulates the fate specification and identity of distinct neural types. At the end, we also discuss open questions in linking developmental cues to neural identity, circuits, and underlying behaviors in the adult fly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisha Hamid
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87113, USA
| | - Andrew Gutierrez
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87113, USA
| | - Jordan Munroe
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
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Hildebrandt K, Klöppel C, Gogel J, Hartenstein V, Walldorf U. Orthopedia expression during Drosophila melanogaster nervous system development and its regulation by microRNA-252. Dev Biol 2022; 492:87-100. [PMID: 36179878 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
During brain development of Drosophila melanogaster many transcription factors are involved in regulating neural fate and morphogenesis. In our study we show that the transcription factor Orthopedia (Otp), a member of the 57B homeobox gene cluster, plays an important role in this process. Otp is expressed in a stable pattern in defined lineages from mid-embryonic stages into the adult brain and therefore a very stable marker for these lineages. We determined the abundance of the two different otp transcripts in the brain and hindgut during development using qPCR. CRISPR/Cas9 generated otp mutants of the longer protein form significantly affect the expression of Otp in specific areas. We generated an otp enhancer trap strain by gene targeting and reintegration of Gal4, which mimics the complete expression of otp during development except the embryonic hindgut expression. Since in the embryo, the expression of Otp is posttranscriptionally regulated, we looked for putative miRNAs interacting with the otp 3'UTR, and identified microRNA-252 as a candidate. Further analyses with mutated and deleted forms of the microRNA-252 interacting sequence in the otp 3'UTR demonstrate an in vivo interaction of microRNA-252 with the otp 3'UTR. An effect of this interaction is seen in the adult brain, where Otp expression is partially abolished in a knockout strain of microRNA-252. Our results show that Otp is another important factor for brain development in Drosophila melanogaster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Hildebrandt
- Developmental Biology, Saarland University, Building 61, 66421, Homburg, Saar, Germany
| | - Christine Klöppel
- Developmental Biology, Saarland University, Building 61, 66421, Homburg, Saar, Germany
| | - Jasmin Gogel
- Developmental Biology, Saarland University, Building 61, 66421, Homburg, Saar, Germany
| | - Volker Hartenstein
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Uwe Walldorf
- Developmental Biology, Saarland University, Building 61, 66421, Homburg, Saar, Germany.
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