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Ectopic gene expression and homeotic transformations in arthropods using recombinant Sindbis viruses
D L Lewis1, M A DeCamillis, C R Brunetti
1Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 53706, USA.
Current Biology : CB
|November 27, 1999
Summary
Recombinant Sindbis virus enables gene expression studies in diverse arthropods. This tool revealed Ultrabithorax gene function in butterfly wing and beetle development, aiding evolutionary developmental biology research.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Evolutionary biology
- Arthropod biology
Background:
- Arthropod morphological diversity offers insights into developmental evolution.
- Changes in developmental gene expression patterns are key to arthropod diversification.
- Limited techniques for gene manipulation hinder direct study of gene function in development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a broadly applicable method for gene expression manipulation in non-model arthropods.
- To investigate the function of the Ultrabithorax homeotic gene in arthropod development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized recombinant Sindbis virus for in vivo gene delivery in arthropods.
- Studied Ultrabithorax gene function in butterfly wing and beetle embryo development.
Main Results:
- Sindbis virus facilitated high gene expression in non-host arthropods without adverse effects.
- Ectopic Ultrabithorax expression induced hindwing characteristics in butterfly wings.
- Altered Ultrabithorax expression impacted cuticle and appendage development in beetle embryos.
Conclusions:
- Homeotic genes are crucial for arthropod appendage diversification.
- Recombinant Sindbis virus is effective for studying homeotic gene function in diverse arthropods.
- Ultrabithorax influences butterfly wing identity and beetle embryonic development, supporting its role in arthropod evolution.