Developmental defects in brain segmentation caused by mutations of the homeobox genes orthodenticle and empty spiracles in Drosophila
We have studied the roles of the homeobox genes orthodenticle (otd) and empty spiracles (ems) in embryonic brain development of Drosophila. The embryonic brain is composed of three segmental neuromeres. The otd gene is expressed predominantly in the anterior neuromere; expression of ems is restricte...
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Published in | Neuron (Cambridge, Mass.) Vol. 15; no. 4; pp. 769 - 778 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
United States
Elsevier Inc
01.10.1995
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | We have studied the roles of the homeobox genes
orthodenticle (otd) and
empty spiracles (ems) in embryonic brain development of Drosophila. The embryonic brain is composed of three segmental neuromeres. The
otd gene is expressed predominantly in the anterior neuromere; expression of
ems is restricted to the two posterior neuromeres. Mutation of
otd eliminates the first (protocerebral) brain neuromere. Mutation of
ems eliminates the second (deutocerebral) and third (tritocerebral) neuromeres.
otd is also necessary for development of the dorsal protocerebrum of the adult brain. We conclude that these homeobox genes are required for the development of specific brain segments in Drosophila, and that the regionalized expression of their homologs in vertebrate brains suggests an evolutionarily conserved program for brain development. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0896-6273 1097-4199 |
DOI: | 10.1016/0896-6273(95)90169-8 |