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Functional analysis of engrailed in Tribolium segmentation
1Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Plus Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea.
Mechanisms of Development
|November 29, 2019
Summary
The segment-polarity gene engrailed is crucial for embryonic segmentation in insects. Knocking down Tc-engrailed in Tribolium beetles caused severe segmentation defects, confirming its conserved role.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
- Entomology
Background:
- The segment-polarity gene engrailed is essential for embryonic segmentation in Drosophila.
- Engrailed expression patterns are conserved across arthropods, but its function in non-Drosophila species remains largely uncharacterized.
- Engrailed stripes induce wingless stripes at parasegmental boundaries, defining segments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the embryonic segmentation functions of the Tribolium ortholog of engrailed (Tc-engrailed).
- To determine if the genetic mechanism of Engrailed inducing wingless expression is conserved between Drosophila and Tribolium.
Main Methods:
- RNA interference (RNAi) mediated knockdown of Tc-engrailed in Tribolium embryos.
- Analysis of larval cuticles for segmentation phenotypes.
- Examination of wingless gene expression patterns in Tc-engrailed knockdown embryos.
Main Results:
- Tc-engrailed knockdown resulted in significant segmentation defects, including incomplete segment formation and segment loss.
- Segments in Tc-engrailed knockdown Tribolium germbands developed incompletely and irregularly.
- Knockdown of Tc-engrailed disrupted the proper expression of segmental wingless stripes.
Conclusions:
- Tc-engrailed is essential for embryonic segmentation in Tribolium.
- The conserved role of engrailed in arthropod segmentation extends to Tribolium.
- The genetic mechanism involving Engrailed-induced wingless expression is conserved between Drosophila and Tribolium.
