Scientific Publications by FDA Staff

Genesis 2005 Jun 28;42(3):181-92

Analysis of the shortvein cis-regulatory region of the decapentaplegic gene of Drosophila melanogaster.

Stultz BG, Ray RP, Hursh DA

Hursh DA, US FDA, Lab Immunol & Dev Biol, Ctr Biol Evaluat & Res, Div Cell & Gene Therapy, HFM 730,Bldg 29B,Rm 1E16,8800 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA US FDA, Lab Immunol & Dev Biol, Ctr Biol Evaluat & Res, Div Cell & Gene Therapy, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA Univ Sussex, Sch Life Sci, Dept Biol & Environm Sci, Brighton, E Sussex, England

In mammals, the Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily controls a variety of developmental processes. In Drosophila, by contrast, a single member of the superfamily, decapentaplegic (dpp) performs most TGF-beta developmental functions. The complexity of dpp functions is reflected in the complex cis-regulatory sequences that flank the gene. Dpp is divided into three regions: Hin, including the protein-coding exons; disk, including 3' cis-regulatory sequences; and shortvein (shv), including noncoding exons and 5' cis-regulatory sequences. We analyzed the cis-regulatory structure of the shortvein region using a nested series of rearrangement breakpoints and rescue constructs. We delimit the molecular regions responsible for three mutant phenotypes: larval lethality, wing venation defects, and head capsule defects. Multiple overlapping elements are responsible for larval lethality and wing venation defects. However, the area regulating head capsule formation is distinct, and resides 5' to these elements. We have demonstrated this by isolating and describing two novel dpp alleles, which affect only the adult head capsule.