The molecules and mechanisms that control axon guidance are highly conserved among flies, worms and vertebrates. In the Drosophila visual system, retinal axons play a critical role in orchestrating the development of the targets to which they project. Understanding the mechanisms which guide retinal axons to topographically correct sites within the Drosophila brain is likely to contribute to an understanding of these processes in vertebrates. Recently, Drosophila Eph receptor tyrosine kinase (Dephr) has been implicated in retinal axon guidance. We will examine Dephr function in this process using mutant receptors introduced as transgenes and loss of function conferred by RNAi genetic interference. Screens for modifier mutations that rescue Dephr phenotypes may allow us to uncover novel elements of the Dephr signaling pathway. This study may provide novel insights into the mechanisms by which retinal axons are guided to appropriate target fields as well as uncover components of the signaling pathway utilized by the Eph family of receptors.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32EY007030-02
Application #
6329508
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-MDCN-7 (02))
Program Officer
Oberdorfer, Michael
Project Start
2000-12-01
Project End
Budget Start
2000-12-01
Budget End
2001-11-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$40,196
Indirect Cost
Name
Harvard University
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
071723621
City
Cambridge
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02138
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Dearborn Jr, Richard E; Dai, Yong; Reed, Brian et al. (2012) Reph, a regulator of Eph receptor expression in the Drosophila melanogaster optic lobe. PLoS One 7:e37303
Dearborn Jr, Richard; Kunes, Sam (2004) An axon scaffold induced by retinal axons directs glia to destinations in the Drosophila optic lobe. Development 131:2291-303
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