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Phenocopies induced with antisense RNA identify the wingless gene
Cell
|August 14, 1987
Summary
The wingless gene in Drosophila development is crucial for cell cooperation. Antisense RNA confirms a specific transcript executes the wingless function, identifying it as the Drosophila homolog of mouse int-1.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The wingless gene in Drosophila melanogaster is known to play a role in cellular cooperation during development.
- The precise molecular mechanism and the specific transcript responsible for the wingless function were not fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To confirm the function of a specific 3 kb transcript in executing the wingless gene's role.
- To establish the identity of the wingless gene with a cloned Drosophila homolog of the mouse int-1 gene.
Main Methods:
- Injection of antisense RNA derived from a 3 kb transcript into wild-type Drosophila eggs.
- Sequence analysis of isolated wingless cDNA.
- Comparison of isolated wingless cDNA sequence with the Drosophila homolog of mouse int-1 (Dint-1).
Main Results:
- Injection of the 3 kb transcript's antisense RNA successfully produced wingless mutant phenocopies in wild-type embryos.
- The isolated partial wingless cDNA sequence was found to be identical to a portion of the Dint-1 sequence.
- The Drosophila homolog of mouse int-1 (Dint-1) was confirmed to be identical to the wingless gene.
Conclusions:
- The 3 kb transcript is definitively responsible for the wingless gene's function in Drosophila development.
- The wingless gene is the Drosophila homolog of the mouse int-1 gene, indicating conserved developmental pathways.
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