Major
Biology
Anticipated Graduation Year
2020 (Fall)
Access Type
Open Access
Abstract
During development, cells of different types migrate to form organs with the proper structure and function. In Drosophila melanogaster, the embryonic gonad is formed when primordial germ cells (PGCs) and somatic gonadal precursor cells (SGPs) migrate and coalesce. In previous work, the transcription factor ribbon (rib) was identified as a key regulator of embryonic gonad development. However, we have observed that Ribbon continues to be expressed in later stages of gonad development, and in the adult ovaries and testes. These results suggest that Rib may regulate morphological changes that occur during larval gonad development, as well as gametogenesis in the adult. We have found that overexpression of rib in somatic cells throughout development causes significant defects in ovary and testis development, resulting in failed gametogenesis in adults.
Faculty Mentors & Instructors
Dr. Jennifer Mierisch, Loyola University Chicago Department of Biology
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Overexpression of ribbon Disrupts Gonad Development and Gametogenesis in D. melanogaster
During development, cells of different types migrate to form organs with the proper structure and function. In Drosophila melanogaster, the embryonic gonad is formed when primordial germ cells (PGCs) and somatic gonadal precursor cells (SGPs) migrate and coalesce. In previous work, the transcription factor ribbon (rib) was identified as a key regulator of embryonic gonad development. However, we have observed that Ribbon continues to be expressed in later stages of gonad development, and in the adult ovaries and testes. These results suggest that Rib may regulate morphological changes that occur during larval gonad development, as well as gametogenesis in the adult. We have found that overexpression of rib in somatic cells throughout development causes significant defects in ovary and testis development, resulting in failed gametogenesis in adults.