Determining the role of a candidate gene in Drososphila muscle development

by Maity, Chaitali.

Determining the role of a candidate gene in Drosophila muscle development By Chaitali Maity In Drosophila, 1424 gene was tagged by the enhancer trapping technique, which involves insertion of a modified transposable element. Reporter expression indicated that the gene is expressed in the CNS and developing flight muscles (IFMs) during pupal stage. This thesis investigates a role for the 1424 gene in the development of flight muscles. Fortytwo mutant lines that were generated by genetically excising the P-element were tested. Homozygous mutants were generated as P-element insertion has been reported to be lethal in case of 1424 gene. Upon observation of the lethality during the life –cycle we found the P-element insertion might be semi-lethal as emergence of homozygous 1424 flies was observed. Complementation further support the semi-lethality of the parent strain as nearly all of the mutant lines were able to generate transheterozygotes, but not all of them were able to generate homozygous mutants. Flight test as well as muscle phenotype analysis of the homozygous mutants confirm that this gene represented as 1424 is involved in IFM development. Determining the role of a candidate gene in Drosophila muscle development A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Miami University In partial fulfillment of The requirements for the degree Master of Science Department of Zoology by Chaitali Maity Miami University Oxford, Ohio 2006 Advisor _______________________________ Dr. Joyce Fernandes Reader________________________________ Dr. Thomas C. Dockendorff