Project description:kdm5 is an essential gene in Drosophila that has critical developmental roles in the prothoracic gland cells of the larval ring gland. We performed a bulk transcriptome analysis of the larval ring gland in w[1118] (wild type) and kdm5[140] (null mutant) in order to identify genes in the prothoracic gland involved in the lethality of kdm5 null mutants. We found that the absence of kdm5 causes dysregulation of genes involved in various metabolic pathways. In particular, genes both bound by KDM5 and differentially expressed in this cell type are involved in regulation of mitochondrial biology and autophagy.
Project description:kdm5 is an essential gene in Drosophila that has critical developmental roles in the prothoracic gland cells of the larval ring gland. To profile KDM5 binding within these cells and this developmental stage, we performed Targeted DamID (TaDa). By profiling the nearest genes to significant TaDa peaks (FDR < 0.01), we identified 5815 candidate KDM5 target genes. Interestingly, 42% of these candidate KDM5 target genes appear to be conserved across multiple cellular contexts in Drosophila and span many cellular processes for future investigation.
Project description:In Drosophila melanogaster larvae the ring gland is a control center that orchestrates major developmental transitions. It is a composite organ, consisting of the prothoracic gland, the corpus allatum and the corpora cardiaca, each of which synthesizes and secretes a different hormone. Until now, the ring gland’s broader developmental roles beyond endocrine secretion have not been explored. RNA sequencing and analysis of a new transcriptome resource from D. melanogaster wandering third instar larval ring glands has provided a fascinating insight into the diversity of developmental signalling in this organ. We have found strong enrichment of expression of two gene pathways not previously associated with the ring gland: immune response and fatty acid metabolism. We have also uncovered strong expression for many uncharacterized genes. Additionally, RNA interference against ring gland-enriched cytochrome p450s Cyp6u1 and Cyp6g2 produced a lethal ecdysone deficiency and a juvenile hormone deficiency respectively, flagging a critical role for these genes in hormone synthesis. This transcriptome provides a valuable new resource for investigation of roles played by the ring gland in governing insect development.
Project description:We performed a transcriptome analysis of the larval VNC in kdm5 WT, kdm5[L854F] and enzymatically inactive kdm5[JmjC] in order to identify genes contributing to the phenotypes observed in the mutants' neuromuscular junction (NMJ). We found that inactivation of the catalytic activity in kdm5[JmjC] causes dysregulation of genes related to glutamate metabolism while the mutation L854F leads to dysregulation of genes involved in microtubule cytoskeleton dynamics. We also found a group of genes dysregulated in both mutants that likely explain a common NMJ phenotype.
Project description:In order to determine which genes were affected by the complete loss of kdm5, we carried out RNA-seq analysis using wing discs from wildtype and kdm5 140, the new null mutant. Consistent with the phenotypes observed, transcriptome analyses of kdm5140 mutant wing imaginal discs revealed the dysregulation of a significant number of genes involved in cell cycle progression and DNA repair.
Project description:The lymph gland is one of the main larval hematopoietic organin in Drosophila melanogaster. In wnandering third instar larav, it is composed of two pairs of anterior lobes, followed by 2 to 3 pair of posterior lobes. To gain further insight into the gene expression repertoire of Drosophila blood cells, we established the gene expression profiles of third instar larva lymph glands anterior and posterior lobes.