RK2, a glial-specific homeodomain protein required for embryonic nerve cord condensation and viability in Drosophila.
We report the identification of RK2, a glial-specific homeodomain protein. RK2 is localized to the nucleus of virtually all embryonic and imaginal glial cells, with the exception of midline glia. Embryos mutant for the gene encoding RK2 are embryonic lethal but normal for early gliogenesis (birth, initial divisions and migration of glia) and axonogenesis (neuronal pathfinding and fasciculation). However, later in development, there are significantly fewer longitudinal glia that are spatially disorganized; in addition, there is a slight disorganization of axon fascicles and a defective nerve cord condensation. This suggests that RK2 is not required for early glial determination, but rather for aspects of glial differentiation or function that are required for embryonic viability.
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Related Subject Headings
- Phenotype
- Neuroglia
- Nerve Tissue Proteins
- Mutagenesis
- Molecular Sequence Data
- In Situ Hybridization
- Homeodomain Proteins
- Genes, Insect
- Drosophila Proteins
- Drosophila
Citation
Published In
DOI
EISSN
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Related Subject Headings
- Phenotype
- Neuroglia
- Nerve Tissue Proteins
- Mutagenesis
- Molecular Sequence Data
- In Situ Hybridization
- Homeodomain Proteins
- Genes, Insect
- Drosophila Proteins
- Drosophila