9600194 Hartenstein The studies proposed here are focused on the so-called early genes which are important for the development of the adult and larval visual system in Drosophila. This system provides an excellent preparation with which to analyze the action of genes in the developing nervous system. The genes in question have been cloned and their molecular characterization has been completed. The particular focus is the role of the sine oculis, eyes absent, and eyeless genes. Homologs of some of the genes occur in vertebrates and so appear to have fundamental roles in the development of diverse eyes. The results of the proposed experiments will shed light on the genetic mechanism which controls the determination step in which the embryonic progenitor cell adopts a particular developmental fate, and which orchestrates the progenitor cell?s transition from an early proliferative phase to the phase of differentiation..
