MBLG2972 Lecture Notes - Lecture 19: Cytoskeleton, Morphogen, Syncytium
5 Jul 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
MBLG2072
Genetics and Genomics
Monica Zanuttini !
460381099
Lecture 19 "Developmental genetics
How are cells organised into a coherent body plan during development?!
Transcription factors: involved in converting DNA into RNA, can be DNA binding or form part of a
complex that binds to DNA. Can repress or activate gene expression. These factors care
classified by their binding domain (e.g. homeodomain, helix-loop-helix etc). !
The study of developmental genetics: !
A. Mutant genes: To find out which tissue is affected? what
stage of development? what is the protein product? !
Needs a good model species: Example, Drosophila (14
days) is a good model species as it is rapid cycling and
allows for identification and outcomes of such mutant
genes in following populations. !
Important in understanding the mechanisms of
development. !
B. Analysis of gene function: verification of identified
mutagenic gene in mutation process. !
1. RNA in situ hybridisation: looking for mRNA and where the gene is expressed in an organism.
Label a DNA/RNA probe which hybridises with mRNA and wash that through the cells. Probe
will stick and fix, then visualised. !
2. Immunohistochemistry: using an antibody that binds to the protein, to look for where protein is
expressed in the organism. !
3. Transgenesis: Find suspected gene, take promoter and place it in-front of a marker to make a
transgenic cell. To see where it is active. !
4. RNA interference: reduces or knocks out gene expression, to knock it out. !
Document Summary
Transcription factors: involved in converting dna into rna, can be dna binding or form part of a complex that binds to dna. These factors care classi ed by their binding domain (e. g. homeodomain, helix-loop-helix etc). Needs a good model species: example, drosophila (14 days) is a good model species as it is rapid cycling and allows for identi cation and outcomes of such mutant genes in following populations. Important in understanding the mechanisms of development: analysis of gene function: veri cation of identi ed mutagenic gene in mutation process, rna in situ hybridisation: looking for mrna and where the gene is expressed in an organism. Label a dna/rna probe which hybridises with mrna and wash that through the cells. Immunohistochemistry: using an antibody that binds to the protein, to look for where protein is expressed in the organism: transgenesis: find suspected gene, take promoter and place it in-front of a marker to make a transgenic cell.
