MCB Lecture 25 Developmental Genetics Flashcards
What are Homeotic genes?
These are genes responsible for the development of specific body parts
Describe the life cycle of drosophila
Egg Embryogenesis Larva 1st-3rd Instar Moulting
Pupation
Adult
What is Ultrabithorax?
This is a Homeotic gene that results in the haltere being replaced by a second set of wings
What is antennapedia?
This is a gene that when mutated causes feet growing out of the antennae
What are HOX genes
These are Homeobox genes
This is a suite of 8 genes in drosophila
The genes are involved with development of body structures
Describe spatial expression of HOX genes
Different regions express different genes
Describe how segment identity can be determined by HOX mutants
HOX mutants indicate which region is controlled by that gene
What is a homeodomain?
How many are there in drosophila?
This is a protein coded for by a HOX gene
There are 8 in drosophila
What is special about the amino acid sequences in the 8 homeodomain proteins?
Between the 8 homeodomain proteins are consensus sequences that are identical or very similar.
What do the consensus sequences in the homeodomain proteins correlate to?
Three helices that are similar in all the homeodomain proteins
What do the variable regions in the amino acid sequences of the homeodomain proteins correlate to?
This corresponds to the regions of the protein outside the helices. This gives the 8 proteins their different functions
What is the function of homeodomain proteins?
The mediate binding of protein to DNA
Compare HOX genes in drosophila and mice
Number
Number of clusters
Order of genes
Number: dros: 8, mice: 39
Clusters: dros: 2, mice: 4
Order of the genes: same
Why is studying HOX genes in drosophila relevant to humans?
It is relevant because there has been much conservation of the genes from flies to humans
Things we find out about flies can been applied to human development
Compare HOX genes is drosophila and humans
Number of clusters
Gene duplications
Sequence correlating to body map?
Number of clusters: humans have many more Gene duplication: only in humans; accounts for new functions The mapping (order of genes to order in body plan) is seen in both flies and humans