Gain-of-function screen for genes that affect Drosophila muscle pattern formation

PLoS Genet. 2005 Oct;1(4):e55. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.0010055. Epub 2005 Oct 28.

Abstract

This article reports the production of an EP-element insertion library with more than 3,700 unique target sites within the Drosophila melanogaster genome and its use to systematically identify genes that affect embryonic muscle pattern formation. We designed a UAS/GAL4 system to drive GAL4-responsive expression of the EP-targeted genes in developing apodeme cells to which migrating myotubes finally attach and in an intrasegmental pattern of cells that serve myotubes as a migration substrate on their way towards the apodemes. The results suggest that misexpression of more than 1.5% of the Drosophila genes can interfere with proper myotube guidance and/or muscle attachment. In addition to factors already known to participate in these processes, we identified a number of enzymes that participate in the synthesis or modification of protein carbohydrate side chains and in Ubiquitin modifications and/or the Ubiquitin-dependent degradation of proteins, suggesting that these processes are relevant for muscle pattern formation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Patterning
  • Cell Cycle
  • Cell Movement
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Genes, Insect
  • Genetic Techniques*
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Muscles / cytology
  • Muscles / metabolism*
  • Muscles / pathology
  • Ubiquitin / metabolism

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Ubiquitin