Genetics on the Fly: A Primer on the<i>Drosophila</i>Model System

Hales, Karen G.; Korey, Christopher A.; Larracuente, Amanda M.; Roberts, David M.

doi:10.1534/genetics.115.183392

Cited by 269 publications

(190 citation statements)

References 247 publications

(221 reference statements)

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“…The authors further explore this phenomenon by manipulating gene dosage in flies by varying the number of copies they carry of the mini-white (mw + ) construct, a commonly used marker for making transgenic flies, and which eliminates much of the upstream, downstream, and intronic noncoding DNA associated with the normal white gene [for more detailed information on how transgenic flies are generated and identified, as well as other Drosophila molecular techniques, such as RNAi and the GAL4/UAS system, consult the GENETICS Drosophila organismal primer (Hales et al 2015)]. Because the mini-white DNA is missing the proper regulatory elements, its expression is influenced by the regulatory sequences in the area of the genome in which the transgene inserts (Hazelrigg et al 1984), a phenomenon known as "position effect" (that is, the physical position of the gene in its chromosomal location affects its expression, and therefore function).…”

Section: Dosage and Position Effect: Complicating The Storymentioning

confidence: 99%

More than Meets the Eye: A Primer for “Timing of Locomotor Recovery from Anoxia Modulated by the white Gene in Drosophila melanogaster”

Hersh

2016

Genetics

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SUMMARY A single gene might have several functions within an organism, and so mutational loss of that gene has multiple effects across different physiological systems in the organism. Though the white gene in Drosophila melanogaster was identified originally for its effect on fly eye color, an article by Xiao and Robertson in the June 2016 issue of GENETICS describes a function for the white gene in the response of Drosophila to oxygen deprivation. This Primer article provides background information on the white gene, the phenomenon of pleiotropy, and the molecular and genetic approaches used in the study to demonstrate a new behavioral function for the white gene.

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Section: Dosage and Position Effect: Complicating The Storymentioning

confidence: 99%

More than Meets the Eye: A Primer for “Timing of Locomotor Recovery from Anoxia Modulated by the white Gene in Drosophila melanogaster”

Hersh

2016

Genetics

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“…Because of the wide range of genetic tools and online resources, the Drosophila model system has enabled dramatic advances in many areas of biological research [205], including the immune response against virus infections. Because research with Drosophila has acquired much more depth than with other insects, it can function as a benchmark to inspire similar research in other insects.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Defense Mechanisms against Viral Infection in <em>Drosophila</em>: RNAi versus Non-RNAi

Swevers¹,

Liu²,

Smagghe³

2018

Preprint

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RNAi is considered a major antiviral defense mechanism in insects but its relative importance compared to other antiviral pathways has not been evaluated comprehensively. Here, it is attempted to give an overview of the antiviral defense mechanisms in Drosophila that involve both RNAi and non-RNAi to acquire a sense of their relative importance. While RNAi is considered important in most viral infections, many other pathways can exist that confer antiviral resistance. It is noted that very few direct recognition mechanisms of virus infections have been identified in Drosophila and that the activation of immune pathways may be accomplished indirectly through cell damage incurred by viral replication. In several cases, protection against viral infection can be obtained in RNAi mutants by non-RNAi mechanisms, confirming the variability of the RNAi defense mechanism according to the type of infection and the physiological status of the host. This analysis invites to investigate more systematically the relative contribution of RNAi in the antiviral response and more specifically to ask whether RNAi efficiency is affected when other defense mechanisms predominate. While Drosophila can function as a useful model, this issue may be more critical for economically important insects that are either controlled (agricultural pests and vectors of diseases) or protected from parasite infection (beneficial insects as bees) by RNAi products.

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“…Reverse Genetics instead is a targeted mutagenesis applied to a gene of a known visible phenotype and is normally used to understand the gene's biological function. The goal is to find new mutations that enhance the preexisting mutant phenotype or that suppress it [55,56], but these genetic screens are often laborious and time consuming. The best strategy is to start with a strong phenotype.…”

Section: Genetic Screensmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Fruit Fly, Drosophila melanogaster: The Making of a Model (Part I)

Allocca¹,

Zola²,

Bellosta³

2018

Drosophila Melanogaster - Model for Recent Advances in Genetics and Therapeutics

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The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster (Meigen, 1830) has been established as a cornerstone for research into a wide array of subjects including diseases, development, physiology, and genetics. Thanks to an abundance of genetic tools, publicly available fly stocks, and databases, as well as their considerable biological similarity to mammalian systems, Drosophila has been solidified as a key model organism for elucidating many aspects of human disease. Herein is presented an overview of what makes Drosophila such an appealing model organism. In Part I of this chapter, basic Drosophila biology is reviewed and the most relevant genetic tools available to Drosophila researchers are covered. Then in part II, we outline the use of Drosophila as a model organism to study a wide array of pathologies in which Drosophila has been used, along with key advances made in the specific field using the fly as a model organism.

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Genetics on the Fly: A Primer on theDrosophilaModel System

Cited by 269 publications

References 247 publications

More than Meets the Eye: A Primer for “Timing of Locomotor Recovery from Anoxia Modulated by the white Gene in Drosophila melanogaster”

More than Meets the Eye: A Primer for “Timing of Locomotor Recovery from Anoxia Modulated by the white Gene in Drosophila melanogaster”

Defense Mechanisms against Viral Infection in <em>Drosophila</em>: RNAi versus Non-RNAi

The Fruit Fly, Drosophila melanogaster: The Making of a Model (Part I)

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