The aim of this project is the analysis of how spatial asymmetries arise in the developing egg chamber of Drosophila. Four genes (spire, cappuccino, gurken, and torpedo) which are required for the correct spatial patterning of both the egg shell and the embryo will be analyzed. Three of the genes are required in cells of the germline, wheras torpedo functions in somatic cells. The analysis focusses therefore on a stage in oogenesis when both the pattern of the egg shell and the pattern of the embryo are dependent on interactions between the different ovarian cell types. To define more precisely the role of the four genes in germline and somatic cells, new alleles and chromosomal rearrangements at the loci will be isolated, and the morphology of wildtype and mutant egg chambers will be studied in whole mounts and sectioned material. Analysis of mosaic egg chambers using torpedo, as well as dominant and recessive marker mutations, will be used to investigate the role of the follicle cells in the patterning of the egg chamber. An initial molecular analysis of spire and torpedo will be performed. This will consist of a genomic walk to the chromosomal region containing the two loci, identification of the genes, and an analysis of the spatial and temporal distribution of their products. This will allow us to develop a molecular model of patterning mechanisms acting in the egg chamber.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01GM040558-01
Application #
3298224
Study Section
Genetics Study Section (GEN)
Project Start
1988-09-01
Project End
1991-08-31
Budget Start
1988-09-01
Budget End
1989-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1988
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Princeton University
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
002484665
City
Princeton
State
NJ
Country
United States
Zip Code
08544
Neuman-Silberberg, F S; Schupbach, T (1996) The Drosophila TGF-alpha-like protein Gurken: expression and cellular localization during Drosophila oogenesis. Mech Dev 59:105-13
Hawkins, N C; Thorpe, J; Schupbach, T (1996) Encore, a gene required for the regulation of germ line mitosis and oocyte differentiation during Drosophila oogenesis. Development 122:281-90
Roth, S; Neuman-Silberberg, F S; Barcelo, G et al. (1995) cornichon and the EGF receptor signaling process are necessary for both anterior-posterior and dorsal-ventral pattern formation in Drosophila. Cell 81:967-78
Clifford, R; Schupbach, T (1994) Molecular analysis of the Drosophila EGF receptor homolog reveals that several genetically defined classes of alleles cluster in subdomains of the receptor protein. Genetics 137:531-50
Roth, S; Schupbach, T (1994) The relationship between ovarian and embryonic dorsoventral patterning in Drosophila. Development 120:2245-57
Neuman-Silberberg, F S; Schupbach, T (1994) Dorsoventral axis formation in Drosophila depends on the correct dosage of the gene gurken. Development 120:2457-63
Neuman-Silberberg, F S; Schupbach, T (1993) The Drosophila dorsoventral patterning gene gurken produces a dorsally localized RNA and encodes a TGF alpha-like protein. Cell 75:165-74
Clifford, R; Schupbach, T (1992) The torpedo (DER) receptor tyrosine kinase is required at multiple times during Drosophila embryogenesis. Development 115:853-72
Schupbach, T; Wieschaus, E (1991) Female sterile mutations on the second chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster. II. Mutations blocking oogenesis or altering egg morphology. Genetics 129:1119-36
Manseau, L J; Schupbach, T (1989) cappuccino and spire: two unique maternal-effect loci required for both the anteroposterior and dorsoventral patterns of the Drosophila embryo. Genes Dev 3:1437-52

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