Analisys of the expression and function of the homothorax isoforms in drosophila melanogaster
- Autores: Elise Corsetti
- Directores de la Tesis: Natalia Azpiazu Torres (dir. tes.), Ernesto Sánchez-Herrero Arbide (tut. tes.)
- Lectura: En la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid ( España ) en 2013
- Idioma: español
- Tribunal Calificador de la Tesis: Ginés Morata (presid.), Luis Fernando de Navas Fernández (secret.), Luis María Escudero Cuadrado (voc.), Margarita Cervera Jover (voc.), Miguel Torres Sánchez (voc.)
- Materias:
- Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
- Resumen
In Drosophila melanogaster the gene homothorax (hth) plays many important functions during development. It encodes for a homeodomain protein belonging to the TALE-homeodomain ('three amino acid loop extension') family of conserved transcription factors. Hth interacts with Extradenticle (Exd), another member of the TALE family.
Here I analyze the functions of hth and its relationship with exd. Hth fulfils many important different functions during embryonic and larval development in Drosophila, which encompass from subdivision and specification of body parts to assembly of heterochromatin. The many different functions described for Hth rely on the complexity of its locus, from which six different isoforms arise.
I report that the distinct Hth isoforms have different expression patterns and function differentially in embryonic development. Moreover, not all the isoforms are able to translocate its partner Exd into the nucleus, and the FlHth activates exd transcription. The high levels of Exd protein facilitate its entrance to the nucleus.
This work demonstrates that hth is a complex gene that should not be considered as a functional unit. The roles of the different isoforms probably rely on their distinct protein domains and conformations and, at the end, on interactions with particular partners.
PALABRAS CLAVES DE BÚSQUEDA: Homothorax Extradenticle Alternative splicing Isoforms Drosophila Developmental biology
