The proposed research is directed at understanding principles of chromosome structure. Three specific questions will initially be asked: (i) What genetic decisions or information are required for formation of polytene chromosomes of Drosophila? (ii) What sequences at Drosophila chromosome region 11A are responsible for the properties of """"""""intercalary heterochromatin"""""""" and meiotic recombination? (iii) Does the fragile-X mutation in human chromosomes, and a subsequent chromosome """"""""imprint,"""""""" lead to late-replicating DNA at Xq27? The health relatedness of this project is as follows: question (i) may lead to methods to induce polyteny in cultured human cells, which would provide useful material for human gene mapping; question (2) may provide insight in meiotic properties of Drosophila chromosomes that are applicable to the human fragile X chromosome; question (iii) is expected to provide direct information about the human fragile X mutation and putative chromosome imprinting event that are responsible for the most common cause of inherited mental retardation in humans. Methodologies involve cytogenetic, genetic, and molecular analysis of chromosomes and DNA. Recombinant DNA technology, DNA sequencing, P-element transformation of Drosophila, and genetic analysis will be used for this research.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01GM019179-17
Application #
3269539
Study Section
Genetics Study Section (GEN)
Project Start
1980-03-01
Project End
1993-11-30
Budget Start
1988-12-01
Budget End
1989-11-30
Support Year
17
Fiscal Year
1989
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Washington
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
135646524
City
Seattle
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98195
Ji, J; Clegg, N J; Peterson, K R et al. (1996) In vitro expansion of GGC:GCC repeats: identification of the preferred strand of expansion. Nucleic Acids Res 24:2835-40