Peter Tolias IBN#9418722 Single stranded (ss) DNA and RNA-binding proteins encompass a subset of molecules that play significant roles in Drosophila development. The developmentally regulated shuttle craft (stc) gene encodes such a protein. The main objective of this proposal is to determine the functional role of STC protein in egg chambers and embryos using a combination of cell biological, molecular and genetic approaches. The PI in the course of this award will: 1) clone and sequence the two existing EMS-induced stc alleles and the Drosophila virilis stc gene to identify essential and conserved structural motifs, 2) use the new FLP-FRT recombination system to generate marked mutant clones that have lost function, and 3). determine whether stc protein is differentially processed. The human homologue to stc has recently been reported. It is NF-X1, a gamma interferon-inducible human transaription factor. The identification of this homolog will help the PI to distinguish important structural motifs in the shuttle craft protein and identify its targets. The PI has also identified that one of his stc mutants has CNS defects in late embryonic development that appear to be defects in axonal guidance; this phenotype will aid his experimental design.
