The spatial distribution of transcripts of the segmentation gene Fushi tarazu during Coelopa embryonic development

dc.contributor.authorOsei-Frimpong, Joseph
dc.date.accessioned2023-03-30T14:22:50Z
dc.date.available2023-03-30T14:22:50Z
dc.date.issued1988-08
dc.description.abstractThe expression of the Drosophila fushi tarazu (ftz) gene was investigated in the kelp fly, Coelopa frigida. The investigation included the detection of the gene in the genome of the kelp fly and the detection of the transcripts of the gene in unfertilized eggs and embryos. The spatial distribution of ftz$\sp+$ transcripts during normal Coelopa embryonic development was investigated by in situ hybridization. The results obtained in this study have led to the following conclusions: (1) The genome of the kelp fly, Coelopa frigida contains sequences homologous to the Drosophila ftz$\sp+$ gene. (2) The $ftz\sp+$ gene is probably not expressed maternally in the kelp fly. (3) In the Coelopa embryo the $ftz\sp+$ transcripts are generally distributed during early cleavage; at these stages the transcripts are of low intensity and there seem to be no regional differences. (4) $Ftz\sp+$ transcripts become localized around the periphery of the embryo around the 11$\sp{\rm th}$ nuclear division (syncytial blastoderm); transcripts after the 12$\sp{\rm th}$ nuclear division are generally restricted to a broad region between approximately 10 and 70% of the egg length. (5) After about the 13$\sp{\rm th}$ nuclear division when cell membranes begin to form and even before cells are formed, the parasegmental pattern of $ftz\sp+$ transcript distribution in the seven odd-numbered parasegments becomes more apparent. (6) It appears that by the time segmentation is first obvious and the germ band is fully extended (about 4.5 h of development) the $ftz\sp+$ gene is no longer expressed. (7) Similar results have been observed in Drosophila wild type embryos. Therefore the embryos used in these experiments were expressing the same dipteran gene at the corresponding morphological stages of development. Some general conclusions that can be drawn from this study are the following: (1) The data obtained on ftz expression graphically illustrate that spatially restricted gene expression can occur even at the syncytial blastoderm stage in the absence of cell membranes. (2) They confirm that a structural association between nuclei and their adjacent cytoplasm exists at this stage.(3) These observations provide direct molecular corroboration for the notion that differences in developmental potential already exist between nuclei prior to the cellular blastoderm completion.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/11274/14770
dc.language.isoen_USen_US
dc.subjectGenome
dc.subjectEmbryonic Development
dc.subjectCell Development
dc.subjectSegmentation
dc.titleThe spatial distribution of transcripts of the segmentation gene Fushi tarazu during Coelopa embryonic developmenten_US
dc.typeDissertationen_US
thesis.degree.collegeCollege of Natural and Social Sciencesen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineMolecular Biologyen_US
thesis.degree.grantorTexas Woman's Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen_US
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophyen_US

Files

Original bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
1988Osel-FrimpongOCR.pdf
Size:
3.3 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:

License bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.68 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description: