A novel Drosophila gene, dunc-115, functions as a putative actin cytoskeleton regulator during growth cone navigation.

Title: A novel Drosophila gene, dunc-115, functions as a putative actin cytoskeleton regulator during growth cone navigation.
Identifier: AAI3083666
identifier: 3083666
Creator: Garcia, Melissa Carmen.
Contributor: Adviser: Qi He
Date: 2003
Language: English
Publisher: City University of New York.
Subject: Biology, Molecular | Biology, Neuroscience
Abstract: dunc-115, a Drosophila homolog of gene unc-115 in C. elegans, has been identified and characterized. It is an alternatively spliced gene with at least three isoforms revealed in flies, dunc-1151, dunc-115m and dunc-115s, respectively and they have remarkable levels of conservation with other orthologs. Northern blot confirms the existence of multiple isoforms while in situ hybridization reveals a dominant expression in the CNS. Structurally, all three forms contain the LIM domains while only Dunc-115I possesses the villin head piece domain. Mutant analysis indicates that Dunc-115 proteins are pivotal mediators involved in the axonal navigation in both the visual system and the midline. Furthermore, the domain structure strongly implies a close association with the cytoskeleton network, which may play a role in guiding the axons.
Type: dissertation
Source: PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
degree: Ph.D.

Media: A novel Drosophila gene, dunc-115, functions as a putative actin cytoskeleton regulator during growth cone navigation.