Differential expression of the Drosophila mitofusin genes fuzzy onions (fzo) and dmfn

Mech Dev. 2002 Aug;116(1-2):213-6. doi: 10.1016/s0925-4773(02)00141-7.

Abstract

Mitofusins comprise a family of evolutionarily conserved, nuclear encoded mitochondrial guanosine triphoshatases that control mitochondrial fusion and morphology. The fuzzy onions (fzo) and Drosophila mitofusin (dmfn) genes, which encode the only Mitofusin homologs in Drosophila are differentially expressed during development. Dmfn-mRNA was widely expressed during embryogenesis accumulating in the mesoderm and endoderm during gut development, during oogenesis with transcripts maternally deposited into the early embryo and in the male germ line, where dmfn-mRNA was expressed in spermatogonia, spermatocytes and early spermatids. In contrast, expression of the fzo was tightly restricted to the male germ line, with mRNA accumulation in spermatocytes and early spermatids. In addition, expression of dmfn and fzo in the same cell type, primary spermatocytes, was under control of different regulatory mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Digestive System / embryology
  • Digestive System / metabolism
  • Drosophila / enzymology
  • Drosophila / genetics*
  • Drosophila / growth & development*
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics*
  • Female
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Genes, Insect*
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics*
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / genetics*
  • Oogenesis / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Spermatogenesis / genetics

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Fzo protein, Drosophila
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases