Article Abstract:
A set of related transcripts specific to the male germ line of Drosphila melanogaster was identified and its properties were analyzed. Only one of these genes was found to be autosomal, located on the third chromosome, while the rest were found to be located on the Y chromosome. Sequence studies revealed that a Y-derived genomic DNA had the same inton/exon structure and related flanking sequences as that of the autosomal locus. It was found to be unable to encode a particular functional polypeptide, however, because of a stop codon at position 72.
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Article Abstract:
Antennapedia (Antp) genes from Drosophila virilis, D. subobscura and D. melanogaster were compared to determine conserved sequences. Similar gene structure was observed for all three species and numerous blocks of conserved sequences were identified within the large introns. Conservation of sequences flanking alternative splice regions suggests the maintenance alternative protein coding segments. The implications of the size and conservation of Antp is dicussed in light of the phylogenetic relationship among the three species.
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Article Abstract:
The Drosophila segment polarity gene known as smoothened, or smo, allows information to be transmitted across cell borders via signal transduction pathways. Genetic and molecular characterization of the gene show that it is necessary for Hh signaling and that it acts downstream of hh and ptc. Moreover, it is homologous to the Drosophila frizzled gene and encodes a protein similar to heterotrimeric G protein-coupled receptors. These results indicate that the gene is the receptor of the Hh signal in Drosophila.
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