Mutations in the novel membrane protein spinster interfere with programmedcell death and cause neural degeneration in Drosophila melanogaster

Citation
Y. Nakano et al., Mutations in the novel membrane protein spinster interfere with programmedcell death and cause neural degeneration in Drosophila melanogaster, MOL CELL B, 21(11), 2001, pp. 3775-3788
Citations number
50
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Molecular Biology & Genetics
Journal title
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY
ISSN journal
0270-7306 → ACNP
Volume
21
Issue
11
Year of publication
2001
Pages
3775 - 3788
Database
ISI
SICI code
0270-7306(200106)21:11<3775:MITNMP>2.0.ZU;2-6
Abstract
Mutations in the spin gene are characterized by an extraordinarily strong r ejection behavior of female dies in response to male courtship. They are al so accompanied by decreases in the viability, adult life span, and oviposit ion rate of the flies. In spin mutants, some oocytes and adult neural cells undergo degeneration, which is preceded by reductions in programmed cell d eath of nurse cells in ovaries and of neurons in the pupal nervous system, respectively. The central nervous system (CNS) of spin mutant flies accumul ates autofluorescent lipopigments with characteristics similar to those of lipofuscin, The spin locus generates at least five different transcripts, w ith only two of these being able to rescue the spin behavioral phenotype; e ach encodes a protein with multiple membrane-spanning domains that are expr essed in both the surface glial cells in the CNS and the follicle cells in the ovaries. Orthologs of the spin gene have also been identified in a numb er of species from nematodes to humans. Analysis of the spin mutant will gi ve us new insights into neurodegenerative diseases and aging.