The regulatory mechanisms utilized for the control of expression of the rudimentary gene of Drosophila melanogaster will be examined with a combination of genetic and molecular approaches. The underlying hypothesis is that there exist a number of trans- acting regulatory genes which interact with the rudimentary gene to produce the developmental program of gene expression. The tissue- specific control regions within the 5'end of the rudimentary gene will be more precisely mapped and characterized. Fusion proteins will be isolated and used to generate antibodies to the wild-type mod(r)1 and mod(r)2 proteins. These antibodies will be used to determine the tissue distribution and the cellular localization of the wild-type proteins. Additionally, the antibodies will be used for the characterization and purification of the gene products. Lastly, the null phenotypes and normal functions of mod(r)1 and mod(r)2 will be determined. Mutants which have deficiencies and have a null phenotype will be isolated and characterized. cDNA's will continue to be isolated and sequenced in an effort to determine the biological function of these genes. %%% An understanding of the many ways in which genes are regulated so that the precise developmental pattern of a living organism almost invariably occurs is critical to our insight into life processes.
