A genetic deficiency that spans the flightin gene of Drosophila melanogaster affects the ultrastructure and function of the flight muscles.

1998 ◽  
Vol 201 (13) ◽  
pp. 2033-2044 ◽  
Author(s):  
J O Vigoreaux ◽  
C Hernandez ◽  
J Moore ◽  
G Ayer ◽  
D Maughan
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Flight Muscle ◽  
Mechanical Analysis ◽  
Genetic Deficiency ◽  
Intact Core ◽  
Flight Muscles ◽  
Ultrastructure And Function ◽  
And Function ◽  
Net Power Output

We have developed a reverse-genetic approach to study the function of flightin, a unique protein of the flight muscle myofibril of Drosophila melanogaster. We describe the generation and characterization of Df(3L)fln1, a lethal genetic deficiency in the 76BE region of the third chromosome which deletes several genes, including the gene for flightin. We show that heterozygous flies harboring the Df(3L)fln1 mutation exhibit both impaired flight and ultrastructural defects in their flight muscle myofibrils. We found that the mutation does not interfere with assembly of the myofibril but leads to disorganization of peripheral myofilaments in adult myofibrils. Most myofibrils, nevertheless, retain an intact core that represents approximately 80 % of the normal lattice diameter. Mechanical analysis of single skinned flight muscle fibers demonstrates that the mutation has no significant effect on net power output but increases the frequency at which maximum power is delivered to the wings, potentially reducing the overall performance of the flight system. The results suggest that flightin is an indispensable part of the flight muscle contractile mechanism.

scholarly journals Alterations in flight muscle ultrastructure and function in Drosophila tropomyosin mutants.

1996 ◽  
Vol 135 (3) ◽  
pp. 673-687 ◽  
Author(s):  
A J Kreuz ◽  
A Simcox ◽  
D Maughan
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Flight Muscle ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Muscle Tropomyosin ◽  
Ultrastructure And Function ◽  
And Function ◽  
Net Power Output ◽  
Current Report

Drosophila indirect flight muscle (IFM) contains two different types of tropomyosin: a standard 284-amino acid muscle tropomyosin, Ifm-TmI, encoded by the TmI gene, and two > 400 amino acid tropomyosins, TnH-33 and TnH-34, encoded by TmII. The two IFM-specific TnH isoforms are unique tropomyosins with a COOH-terminal extension of approximately 200 residues which is hydrophobic and rich in prolines. Previous analysis of a hypomorphic TmI mutant, Ifm(3)3, demonstrated that Ifm-TmI is necessary for proper myofibrillar assembly, but no null TmI mutant or TmII mutant which affects the TnH isoforms have been reported. In the current report, we show that four flightless mutants (Warmke et al., 1989) are alleles of TmI, and characterize a deficiency which deletes both TmI and TmII. We find that haploidy of TmI causes myofibrillar disruptions and flightless behavior, but that haploidy of TmII causes neither. Single fiber mechanics demonstrates that power output is much lower in the TmI haploid line (32% of wild-type) than in the TmII haploid line (73% of wild-type). In myofibers nearly depleted of Ifm-TmI, net power output is virtually abolished (< 1% of wild-type) despite the presence of an organized fibrillar core (approximately 20% of wild-type). The results suggest Ifm-TmI (the standard tropomyosin) plays a key role in fiber structure, power production, and flight, with reduced Ifm-TmI expression producing corresponding changes of IFM structure and function. In contrast, reduced expression of the TnH isoforms has an unexpectedly mild effect on IFM structure and function.

scholarly journals Characterization of components of Z-bands in the fibrillar flight muscle of Drosophila melanogaster.

1989 ◽  
Vol 109 (5) ◽  
pp. 2157-2167 ◽  
Author(s):  
J D Saide ◽  
S Chin-Bow ◽  
J Hogan-Sheldon ◽  
L Busquets-Turner ◽  
J O Vigoreaux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Monoclonal Antibodies ◽  
Flight Muscle ◽  
Cross Reactivity ◽  
Antigenic Determinants ◽  
Immunogold Staining ◽  
Thick Filaments ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Flight Muscles

Twelve monoclonal antibodies have been raised against proteins in preparations of Z-disks isolated from Drosophila melanogaster flight muscle. The monoclonal antibodies that recognized Z-band components were identified by immunofluorescence microscopy of flight muscle myofibrils. These antibodies have identified three Z-disk antigens on immunoblots of myofibrillar proteins. Monoclonal antibodies alpha:1-4 recognize a 90-100-kD protein which we identify as alpha-actinin on the basis of cross-reactivity with antibodies raised against honeybee and vertebrate alpha-actinins. Monoclonal antibodies P:1-4 bind to the high molecular mass protein, projectin, a component of connecting filaments that link the ends of thick filaments to the Z-band in insect asynchronous flight muscles. The anti-projectin antibodies also stain synchronous muscle, but, surprisingly, the epitopes here are within the A-bands, not between the A- and Z-bands, as in flight muscle. Monoclonal antibodies Z(210):1-4 recognize a 210-kD protein that has not been previously shown to be a Z-band structural component. A fourth antigen, resolved as a doublet (approximately 400/600 kD) on immunoblots of Drosophila fibrillar proteins, is detected by a cross reacting antibody, Z(400):2, raised against a protein in isolated honeybee Z-disks. On Lowicryl sections of asynchronous flight muscle, indirect immunogold staining has localized alpha-actinin and the 210-kD protein throughout the matrix of the Z-band, projectin between the Z- and A-bands, and the 400/600-kD components at the I-band/Z-band junction. Drosophila alpha-actinin, projectin, and the 400/600-kD components share some antigenic determinants with corresponding honeybee proteins, but no honeybee protein interacts with any of the Z(210) antibodies.

Two missense alleles of the Drosophila melanogaster act88F actin gene are strongly antimorphic but only weakly induce synthesis of heat shock proteins

1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 3084-3091
Author(s):  
C C Karlik ◽  
D L Saville ◽  
E A Fyrberg
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Heat Shock ◽  
Flight Muscle ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Actin Gene ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Diploid Complement ◽  
Flight Muscles ◽  
Shock Proteins ◽  
And Function

We have characterized two extant mutations of the flight muscle-specific act88F actin gene of Drosophila melanogaster. Both defective alleles were recovered from flightless mutants isolated previously (K. Mogami and Y. Hotta, Mol. Gen. Genet. 183:409-417, 1981). By directly sequencing the mutant alleles, we demonstrated that in act88FIfm(3)2 a single G-C to A-T transition converted arginine-28 to cysteine and that in act88FIfm(3)4 a single A-T to T-A transversion changed isoleucine-76 to phenylalanine. We showed that the actins encoded by either allele were strongly antimorphic. Mutant alleles effectively disrupted myofibril structure and function in the flight muscles of strains having the diploid complement of wild-type act88F genes. However, unlike antimorphic actins encoded by three previously characterized act88F alleles, neither that encoded by act88FIfm(3)2 nor that encoded by act88FIfm(3)4 was a strong inducer of heat shock protein synthesis.

scholarly journals Two missense alleles of the Drosophila melanogaster act88F actin gene are strongly antimorphic but only weakly induce synthesis of heat shock proteins.

1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 3084-3091 ◽  
Author(s):  
C C Karlik ◽  
D L Saville ◽  
E A Fyrberg
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Heat Shock ◽  
Flight Muscle ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Actin Gene ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Diploid Complement ◽  
Flight Muscles ◽  
Shock Proteins ◽  
And Function

We have characterized two extant mutations of the flight muscle-specific act88F actin gene of Drosophila melanogaster. Both defective alleles were recovered from flightless mutants isolated previously (K. Mogami and Y. Hotta, Mol. Gen. Genet. 183:409-417, 1981). By directly sequencing the mutant alleles, we demonstrated that in act88FIfm(3)2 a single G-C to A-T transition converted arginine-28 to cysteine and that in act88FIfm(3)4 a single A-T to T-A transversion changed isoleucine-76 to phenylalanine. We showed that the actins encoded by either allele were strongly antimorphic. Mutant alleles effectively disrupted myofibril structure and function in the flight muscles of strains having the diploid complement of wild-type act88F genes. However, unlike antimorphic actins encoded by three previously characterized act88F alleles, neither that encoded by act88FIfm(3)2 nor that encoded by act88FIfm(3)4 was a strong inducer of heat shock protein synthesis.

Rediscovery and further characterization of the aeroplane (ae) wing posture mutation in Drosophila melanogaster

Genome ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly H Soanes ◽  
John B Bell
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Spontaneous Mutation ◽  
Genetic Complementation ◽  
Homeotic Gene ◽  
Classical Genetic ◽  
Direct Flight ◽  
Transformation Experiment ◽  
Flight Muscles

In 1931, Theodore Quelprud characterized a novel spontaneous mutation in Drosophila melanogaster, which was named aeroplane (ae) based on its abnormal wing posture. Although the characterization of the original ae locus was minimal, it is very likely that another allele of this extinct mutation has now been identified. aeroplane-like (ae-l) was isolated as a by-product of a transformation experiment. The apparent wing paralysis is not caused by any obvious abnormalities in the thorax, wing, indirect flight muscles or direct flight muscles. Classical genetic complementation analyses of ae-l with other genes in the region suggest that it represents an allele of a novel locus. Unexpectedly, a molecular examination revealed that the physical lesion identified in the ae-l mutant is exceptionally close to the homeotic gene teashirt (tsh) and, indeed, may represent an unusual allele of teashirt.Key words: aeroplane, teashirt, wing posture, Drosophila, flight.

scholarly journals Indirect flight muscles in Drosophila melanogaster as a tractable model to study muscle development and disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1-2-3) ◽  
pp. 167-173
Author(s):  
Saroj Jawkar ◽  
Upendra Nongthomba
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Muscle Development ◽  
Myoblast Fusion ◽  
Successful Development ◽  
Adult Muscle ◽  
Attachment Sites ◽  
Flight Muscles ◽  
And Function

Myogenesis is a complex multifactorial process leading to the formation of the adult muscle. An amalgamation of autonomous processes including myoblast fusion and myofibrillogenesis, as well as non-autonomous processes, such as innervations from neurons and precise connections with attachment sites, are responsible for successful development and function of muscles. In this review, we describe the development of the indirect flight muscles (IFMs) in Drosophila melanogaster, and highlight the use of the IFMs as a model for studying muscle development and disease, based on recent studies on the development and function of IFMs.

THE ANATOMY AND FUNCTION OF A SEGMENT OF THE X CHROMOSOME OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

Genetics ◽  
1972 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-156
Author(s):  
B H Judd ◽  
M W Shen ◽  
T C Kaufman
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
X Chromosome ◽  
Functional Group ◽  
Deletion Mapping ◽  
Mutant Type ◽  
Functional Units ◽  
Average Size ◽  
And Function

ABSTRACT An average size chromomere of the polytene X chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster contains enough DNA in each haploid equivalent strand to code for 30 genes, each 1,000 nucleotides long. We have attempted to learn about the organization of chromosomes by asking how many functional units can be localized within a chromomere. This was done by 1) recovery of mutants representative of every cistron in the 3A2-3C2 region; 2) the characterization of the function of each mutant type and grouping by complementation tests; 3) the determination of the genetic and cytological position of each cistron by recombination and deletion mapping. The data clearly show one functional group per chromomere. It is postulated that a chromomere is one cistron within which much of the DNA is regulatory in function.

scholarly journals Mutations of Drosophila melanogaster that affect muscles

Development ◽  
1977 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-63
Author(s):  
I. I. Deak
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Flight Muscle ◽  
Fat Body ◽  
Muscle Fibres ◽  
Muscle Structure ◽  
Site Of Action ◽  
Chromosome Mutations ◽  
Complementation Groups ◽  
Flight Muscles ◽  
Genetic Techniques

Eight X-chromosome mutations (falling into five complementation groups) that affect the development and morphology of the indirect flight muscles of Drosophila melanogaster were investigated using histological, behavioural and genetic techniques. All of these mutations result in Sightlessness, in a marked reduction in the ability of the flies to jump, and in the wings being held in abnormal positions. Mutations in each of the complementation groups have different effects on the morphology of the muscles. Two (flapwing, vertical wing) result in absence of most of the indirect flight muscle fibres, a third (upheld) is required for the gross organization of muscle structure, another (heldup) is involved in the maintenance of muscle structure once formed, and the fifth seems to be necessary for the detailed architecture of the muscle fibre (indented thorax). The analysis of flies genetically mosaic with respect to each mutation by the technique of fate-mapping suggests that three (heldup, upheld and indented thorax) of the genes concerned have their primary site of action in the musculature itself, while the other two(flapwing and vertical wing) may function primarily in the fat-body and tracheae respectively.

scholarly journals Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases in Drosophila melanogaster

2005 ◽  
Vol 388 (1) ◽  
pp. 333-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan P. DAY ◽  
Julian A. T. DOW ◽  
Miles D. HOUSLAY ◽  
Shireen-A. DAVIES
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Cyclic Nucleotide ◽  
Biochemical Characterization ◽  
Genetic Model ◽  
Renal Tubules ◽  
Drosophila Genome ◽  
Dual Specificity ◽  
And Function ◽  
High Degree

Cyclic nucleotide PDEs (phosphodiesterases) are important enzymes that regulate intracellular levels of cAMP and cGMP. In the present study, we identify and characterize novel PDEs in the genetic model, Drosophila melanogaster. The Drosophila genome encodes five novel PDE genes in addition to dunce. Predicted PDE sequences of Drosophila show highly conserved critical domains when compared with human PDEs. Thus PDE-encoding genes of D. melanogaster are CG14940-PDE1C, CG8279-PDE6β, CG5411-PDE8A, CG32648-PDE9 and CG10231-PDE11. Reverse transcriptase–PCRs of adult tissues reveal widespread expression of PDE genes. Drosophila Malpighian (renal) tubules express all the six PDEs: Drosophila PDE1, dunce (PDE4), PDE6, PDE8, PDE9 and PDE11. Antipeptide antibodies were raised against PDE1, PDE6, PDE9 and PDE11. Verification of antibody specificity by Western blotting of cloned and expressed PDE constructs allowed the immunoprecipitation studies of adult Drosophila lysates. Biochemical characterization of immunoprecipitated endogenous PDEs showed that PDE1 is a dual-specificity PDE (Michaelis constant Km for cGMP: 15.3±1 μM; Km cAMP: 20.5±1.5 μM), PDE6 is a cGMP-specific PDE (Km cGMP: 37±13 μM) and PDE11 is a dual-specificity PDE (Km cGMP: 6±2 μM; Km cAMP: 18.5±5.5 μM). Drosophila PDE1, PDE6 and PDE11 display sensitivity to vertebrate PDE inhibitors, zaprinast (IC50 was 71±39 μM for PDE1, 0.65±0.015 μM for PDE6 and 1.6±0.5 μM for PDE11) and sildenafil (IC50 was 1.3±0.9 μM for PDE1, 0.025±0.005 μM for PDE6 and 0.12±0.06 μM for PDE11). We provide the first characterization of a cGMP-specific PDE and two dual-specificity PDEs in Drosophila, and show a high degree of similarity in structure and function between human and Drosophila PDEs.

The Fibrillar Flight Muscles of Giant Water-Bugs: An Electron-Microscope Study

1967 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 435-444
Author(s):  
DOREEN E. ASHHURST
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Flight Muscle ◽  
Muscle Fibres ◽  
Transverse Tubular System ◽  
Tropical Water ◽  
Tubular System ◽  
Flight Muscles ◽  
And Function ◽  
Water Bugs

The fibrillar flight muscles of several species of tropical water-bugs of the family Belostomatidae have been examined in the electron microscope. The myofibrils are very similar to those of the other fibrillar flight muscles which have been studied. The membrane systems, however, display features which appear to be peculiar to this family. The sarcoplasmic reticulum can be divided into three parts: a series of interconnecting vesicles surrounding the Z-lines, randomly scattered small vesicles around the myofibrils, and flattened cisternae which lie along the transverse tubular system, and form the dyads. These three components of the sarcoplasmic reticulum do not appear to be interconnected. The cisternae of the dyads contain an electrondense substance. The narrow tubules of the transverse tubular system or T-system penetrate deep into the fibre from the cell membrane. They follow a course roughly perpendicular to the myofibrils at the level of the M-lines. The dyads are scattered along their length, and may not be near a myofibril. Another system of very large vesicles is found in the muscle fibres, interspersed among the mitochondria. These vesicles usually appear to be empty; their nature and function are not at present known. Numerous mitochondria are present among the myofibrils. The peculiarities of the water-bug fibrillar flight muscle are discussed in relation to the flight muscles of other insects and the physiological properties of fibrillar flight muscle.

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