Evolution of mRNA localization and the role of localized determinants in posterior patterning and growth zone determination of two short germ insects

mRNA定位的进化以及定位决定因素在两种短芽昆虫后部模式和生长区确定中的作用

• 批准号: 200659912
• 负责人: Dr. Michael Schoppmeier
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: Department Biologie
• 依托单位国家: 德国
• 项目类别: Research Grants
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 德国
• 起止时间: 2010-12-31 至 2015-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gepris.dfg.de/gepris/projekt/200659912?language=en
• 关键词: Evolution; mRNA; localization; role; localized

Setting up embryo polarity is a crucial step in early development of all animals. In the long germ insect Drosophila, this is achieved mainly through the localization of specific mRNAs to one or both poles of the oocyte. While in Drosophila the mechanisms for localizing maternal gene products are well understood, it is unknown if or to which degree mRNA localisation contributes to axes formation also in short germ insects. Therefore, we will study and compare the mRNA localization mechanisms in two emerging model systems: the flour beetle Tribolium castaneum and the milkweed bug Oncopeltus fasciatus. Previously, we have shown that the maternal initiation of AP patterning cascades in both organisms is very different from Drosophila. To gain additional insights into the evolution of axial patterning in insects, we will test candidates (derived from Drosophila and C. elegans) for early polarisation and axis patterning of the egg, and carry out experiments to identify new, potentially short germ specific factors. In addition, we will ask whether these mechanisms are also involved in a later important step, including growth zone formation and secondary growth. The project will be carried out by two investigators, one in Erlangen and one in Jerusalem. Each investigator will focus on one species, and study the pattern and function of a series of potentially relevant genes. In addition we will carry out cross-species experiments, also involving Drosophila, testing whether the mechanisms are conserved enough to allow the localization of genes from one species in the other. The collaborative and comparative aspects of this project are crucial to an evolutionary understanding of insect development, and ultimately to an understanding of the evolution of axis formation.

设置胚胎极性是所有动物早期发育的关键步骤。在长胚芽昆虫果蝇中，这主要是通过将特定 mRNA 定位到卵母细胞的一极或两极来实现的。虽然在果蝇中，母体基因产物定位的机制已被充分了解，但尚不清楚 mRNA 定位是否或在多大程度上有助于短芽昆虫中轴的形成。因此，我们将研究和比较两个新兴模型系统中的 mRNA 定位机制：面粉甲虫 Tribolium castaneum 和乳草虫 Oncopeltus fasciatus。之前，我们已经证明两种生物体中 AP 模式级联的母体启动与果蝇有很大不同。为了进一步了解昆虫轴向图案的进化，我们将测试候选者（来自果蝇和秀丽隐杆线虫）的卵的早期极化和轴向图案，并进行实验以确定新的、潜在的短胚芽特异性因子。另外，我们会问这些机制是否也参与到后面的一个重要步骤，包括生长区的形成和二次生长。该项目将由两名调查员执行，一名在埃尔兰根，一名在耶路撒冷。每个研究者将专注于一个物种，并研究一系列潜在相关基因的模式和功能。此外，我们将进行跨物种实验，也涉及果蝇，测试这些机制是否足够保守，以允许将一个物种的基因定位到另一个物种中。该项目的协作和比较方面对于昆虫发育的进化理解以及最终对轴形成进化的理解至关重要。