Characterisation of Subdivision 19E3 of Chromosome X Housing the shaking-B Gene of Drosophila melanogaster

Ji, Shuqing (1995) Characterisation of Subdivision 19E3 of Chromosome X Housing the shaking-B Gene of Drosophila melanogaster. MSc(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Subdivision 19E3 is within the proximal region of the X chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster. This region has long been known for being transcriptionally active and housing many neurologically active genes, among which the shaking-B gene is of special interest. The shaking-B gene encodes two distinct genetic functions: one specifically neural and the other required for viability. Flies carrying neural mutations show a range of defects, of which the best characterised is the disruption of synapse formation in the giant fibre system of Drosophila melanogaster. Mutations of another functional domain cause flies to die as first instar larvae. Extending the chromosomal walking initiated and carried out earlier, 27 kb more genomic DNA in subdivision 19E3 has been cloned. This will benefit the detailed study of this genomic region and the characterisation of the shaking-B locus. In order to isolate transcripts from the shaking-B locus, large scale cDNA library screening (approximately one million clones) has been carried out. Meanwhile, a PCR based method has been used to isolated different splicing variants at 5' end of a cDNA known to represent a transcript from the shaking-B locus. After characterisation, it appears that three of the clones isolated represent transcripts from the 19E3 genomic region. Among the three, S3A belongs to a cDNA family whose function is unknown. N52 and W2 represent transcripts from the shaking-B locus. W2 is truncated and contains only two 5' exons. It suggests a novel splicing variant from the shaking-B locus. N52 encodes a putitive protein which has an identical C- terminus to the two proteins which have been proposed to account for the two distinct genetic functions of the shaking-B locus. N52 may serve a specific developmental function of the gene. Otherwise, it may produce a nonfunctional protein and is simply a reflection of alternative splicing as a mechanism of gene regulation.

• Item Type: Thesis (MSc(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Additional Information: Adviser: Jane A Davies
• Keywords: Genetics
• Date of Award: 1995
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1995-74905
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 27 Sep 2019 15:25
• Last Modified: 27 Sep 2019 15:25
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/74905