The remodeling of the central nervous system (CNS) during metamorphosis in Drosophila melanogaster is a prime model system in which to study the genetic control of the sexual dimorphisms in the abdominal ganglion of the CNS. I have been using a P[tau-lacZ] enhancer trap line, 4.078, to label a segmentally...
The fruitless (fru) gene in Drosophila melanogaster is a multifunctional gene having sex-specific functions in the regulation of male sexual behavior and sex-nonspecific functions affecting adult viability and external morphology. While much attention has focused on fru's sex-specific roles, little is known about its sex-nonspecific functions. The embryonic central nervous...
Daily (circadian) rhythms exist at molecular, physiological, and behavioral levels and coordinate many life functions. This coordination is believed to contribute to an organism's fitness, however, such contributions have not been convincingly demonstrated in any animal. The most significant measure of fitness is the reproductive output of the individual and...
Courtship and copulation behaviors in Drosophila melanogaster males are regulated by sex-specific products from the gene fruitless (fru). Male-specific FRU proteins (FRU[superscript M]) are putative transcription factors of the BTB-ZnF family that likely act by controlling development and maintenance of the neural circuitry used during male sexual behavior. However, which...
The Polycomb group (PcG) of genes of Drosophila melanogaster Meigen are involved in developmental regulation through chromatin remodeling. Homologs of PcG genes have been identified in both plant and animal species. In this study, we detail the identification and characterization of Triticum enhancer of zeste 1 (Tez1), a homolog of...