This application is investigating the function of the ovarian tumor group genes in Drosophila oogenesis. The long-term objective is to elucidate the pathways controlling female germline differentiation. Mutants of the ovarian tumor (otu) gene display allele specific defects ranging from agametic ovaries to neoplastic growth, the least severe being incomplete maturation of the oocytes. Otu gene expression is required only in the germline. Alternative splicing of Otu transcripts results in two isoforms of 98 and 104 kd, differing by 42- aa. Rescue experiments with the 98 kd isoform causes otu mutant agametic ovaries to develop tumorous egg chambers suggesting that proliferation is normal but differentiation of the female germline is abnormal. In addition, an otu mutation which blocks the alternative splicing pathway yields only the 98kd isoform, and this mutant also has the tumorous egg chamber phenotype.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM045843-06
Application #
2392144
Study Section
Genetics Study Section (GEN)
Project Start
1991-08-01
Project End
2000-03-31
Budget Start
1997-04-01
Budget End
1998-03-31
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Iowa
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
041294109
City
Iowa City
State
IA
Country
United States
Zip Code
52242
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