Question

You have discovered a new species of insect while hiking around the BioReserve! Based on the fruit fly and other insects, you know that larvae have patches of cells known as “imaginal discs,” each of which will contribute to an appendage of the adult (e.g. antenna, wing, or leg). Moreover, you know that the decapentaplegic(dpp) gene is expressed in the imaginal discs that contribute to the wings, but not in those that contribute to the antennae or legs. For each of the following questions, limit your response to three sentences.

a) Describe one strategy to identify the patch of cells that give rise to wings in your species.

b) Describe one strategy to confirm that dpp is expressedby cells that give rise to wings in your species.

c) Describe one strategy to confirm that dpp is requiredfor wing development in your species. Be sure to provide a brief description of the relevant technique(s), and to include at least one control.

Describe one strategy to confirm that dppexpression is sufficientfor wing development in your species. Be sure to provide a brief description of the relevant technique(s), and to include at least one control. 6 pts

Answer 1

Ans)

A) The strategy to identify the patch of cells that give rise to wings in species is assayed by the expression of a disc-specific molecular marker.

B) The strategy to confirm that dpp is expressed by cells that give rise wings in the species is a basic forward genetic screen. The goal is to identify genes that are involved in a specific development process or behavior.

C) Dpp gene is expressed in the imaginal discs that contribute to the wings and this gene is responsible to form a long-range signaling gradient. This gene directs pattern formation and growth during wing disc development. To confirm that dpp requirements for wing disc development, one can use CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing. This process is required to generate a flippase recognition target (FRT)-dependent conditional null allele.