Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary role of Engrailed in the Hedgehog signaling pathway?
What is the primary role of Engrailed in the Hedgehog signaling pathway?
What is one of the consequences of the overexpression of Let-7 miRNA in mammals?
What is one of the consequences of the overexpression of Let-7 miRNA in mammals?
How does GLD-1 influence the translation of GLP-1 mRNA in C. elegans?
How does GLD-1 influence the translation of GLP-1 mRNA in C. elegans?
What is the initial step in the In Situ Hybridization technique for mRNA localization?
What is the initial step in the In Situ Hybridization technique for mRNA localization?
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Which of the following best describes the mechanism of action of Let-7 miRNA?
Which of the following best describes the mechanism of action of Let-7 miRNA?
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What is the consequence of transplanting the dorsal lip of the blastopore in Xenopus laevis embryos?
What is the consequence of transplanting the dorsal lip of the blastopore in Xenopus laevis embryos?
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Which gene is primarily responsible for the reversed polarity and formation of extra digits in limb buds?
Which gene is primarily responsible for the reversed polarity and formation of extra digits in limb buds?
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How do cis-acting mutations typically affect phenotypes?
How do cis-acting mutations typically affect phenotypes?
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Which of the following correctly describes the role of homeotic genes in Drosophila?
Which of the following correctly describes the role of homeotic genes in Drosophila?
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What is the result of the misexpression of the Shh gene in atypical limb regions?
What is the result of the misexpression of the Shh gene in atypical limb regions?
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What technique is used for detecting mRNA localization within cells?
What technique is used for detecting mRNA localization within cells?
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Which of the following accurately depicts the expression pattern of maternal genes in Drosophila development?
Which of the following accurately depicts the expression pattern of maternal genes in Drosophila development?
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Which of the following is NOT a role of segment polarity genes in Drosophila?
Which of the following is NOT a role of segment polarity genes in Drosophila?
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In the context of Hox gene expression during embryogenesis, which statement is true?
In the context of Hox gene expression during embryogenesis, which statement is true?
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Which pair of homeotic mutants demonstrates incorrect body part identity due to misexpression of adjacent genes?
Which pair of homeotic mutants demonstrates incorrect body part identity due to misexpression of adjacent genes?
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Study Notes
Transplantation Experiments
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Dorsal Lip of Blastomere (Spemann's Organizer)
- Experiment: Transplant dorsal lip of blastomere to a ventral region of recipient embryo.
- Observed two separate dorsal lips and induced a secondary embryonic axis.
- Resulted in the formation of a Siamese twin in Xenopus laevis embryos.
Limb Bud Development and Zone of Polarizing Activity (ZPA)
- Setup: Transplant ZPA from posterior to anterior limb bud position in chick embryos.
- Result: Extra digits form with reverse polarity (mirror image of original digits).
- Sonic Hedgehog (Shh): Responsible for reverse polarity and formation of extra digits.
Polydactyly
- Mis-expression of Shh in atypical limb regions induces extra digits.
- Mutations in cis-acting regulatory elements controlling Shh expression (not coding region).
- Properties of Cis-acting Mutations
- Phenotypes are often dominant due to regulatory effects in cis.
- Specific regulatory elements affected; other gene functions may remain normal.
Homeotic Mutants in Drosophila
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Homeotic Genes: Control the identity of body parts.
- Wildtype: One pair of wings on the second thoracic segment, haltere on the third.
- Bithorax Mutant: Wings develop on the third thoracic segment (mis-expression of wing genes).
- Antennapedia Mutant: Legs develop where antennae normally are (mis-expression of leg genes).
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Hox Genes: Two complex of related genes that control the body plan of an embryo along the anterior-posterior.
- Antennapedia (controls head and thoracic segments).
- Gene Order: The order on the chromosome corresponds to the body region from head to tail.
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Methods for Gene Expression Visualization
- In Situ Hybridization: Detect mRNA localization.
- Antibody-based protein expression and cDNA clones.
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Hox Gene Expression
- Spatially restricted domains: Hox genes express early in embryogenesis, controlling segment.
- Mutgenesis screens (Wieschaus, Lewis, Nüsslein-Volhard): Discovered materal and zygotic genes controlling Hox gene expression.
Drosophila Development: Gene Gradients
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Maternal Genes
- Bicoid: Expressed at the anterior; establishes gradient to activate anterior genes.
- Nanos: Expressed at the posterior; creates gradient for posterior genes.
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Gap Genes
- Krüppel, Krüpps, Giant, Hunchback: Control large segment areas. Bicoid mutants; missing anterior; Hunchback gene activated.
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Pair-rule Genes
- Even-skipped: Affects even-numbered segments.
- Fushi tarazu: Affects odd-numbered segments.
- Stripe formation: Controlled by maternal and gap gene combinations.
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Segment Polarity Genes
- Dictate anterior vs. posterior borders of segments.
- Engrailed and Wingless are key in segment patterning.
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Description
Explore key transplantation experiments in embryology, including Spemann's Organizer and limb bud development. Analyze how these experiments led to groundbreaking findings in the field, such as polydactyly and the role of Sonic Hedgehog. Understand the mechanisms behind these phenomena and their implications in developmental biology.