Identification and Genetic Analysis of wunen, a Gene Guiding Drosophila melanogaster Germ Cell Migration

Abstract

We describe a novel genetic locus, wunen (wun), required for guidance of germ cell migration in early Drosophila development. Loss of wun function does not abolish movement but disrupts the orientation of the motion causing the germ cells to disperse even though their normal target, the somatic gonad, is well formed. We demonstrate that the product of this gene enables a signal to pass from the soma to the germ line and propose that the function of this signal is to selectively stabilize certain cytoplasmic extensions resulting in oriented movement. To characterize this guidance factor, we have mapped wun to within 100 kb of cloned DNA.

Control of lateral migration and germ cell elimination by the Drosophila melanogaster lipid phosphate phosphatases Wunen and Wunen 2

“…The following mutants were used: wun CE and Df(2R)wun GL (K. Howard, University College London, London, UK) are strong alleles that affect both wun and wun-2 genes (Zhang et al, 1996). Df(2R)NYX-D15 lacks wun and wun-2 (Starz-Gaiano et al, 2001).…”

Domain-specific control of germ cell polarity and migration by multifunction Tre1 GPCR

“…(Because of their exchangeable function, we will hereafter refer to Wun and Wun2 collectively as Wunen unless specifically noted.) Wunen LPP activity is required both in the germ cells and in specific somatic tissues for germ cell dispersal, survival, and migration (Zhang et al, 1996;Hanyu-Nakamura et al, 2004;Renault et al, 2004Renault et al, , 2010. In the soma, Wun and Wun2 repel germ cells and thereby guide them toward the gonad.…”

Early-life nutrition interacts with developmental genes to shape the brain and sleep behavior inDrosophila melanogaster

“…The knockdown of 7 genes affects the same trait associated with the candidate genetic variant, supporting their role as specific modifiers of behavioral response to diet (Fig 5, S13 Fig). Among them Tenascin-a ( Ten-a ) 41 , axotactin ( axo ) 42 , guk-holder ( gukh ) 43 , Multiplexin ( Mp ) 44 , Protein tyrosine phosphatase 61F ( Ptp61F ) 45 , and wunen ( wun ) 46 , affected more traits than in the GWA analyses. On the other hand, early-life nutrition only modifies RNA-binding Fox splicing factor 1/ Ataxin 2-binding protein 1 ( Rbfox1) 47 effect in night sleep, supporting their specific role in this trait.…”

“…In addition, to control for the specificity of the RNAi-mediated knockdown, we use a second RNAi for candidates that showed effects with OK107-Gal4 (S14 Fig; S10 Table). To distinguish whether the effects on sleep are specific to MBs, other regions of the nervous system, or both, we also drove the expression of UAS-RNAi transgenes in all neurons using the elav-Gal4 driver ( Among them Tenascin-a (Ten-a) 41 , axotactin (axo) 42 , guk-holder (gukh) 43 , Multiplexin (Mp) 44 , Protein tyrosine phosphatase 61F (Ptp61F) 45 , and wunen (wun) 46 , affected more traits than in the GWA analyses. On the other hand, early-life nutrition only modifies RNA-binding Fox splicing factor 1/ Ataxin 2-binding protein 1 (Rbfox1) 47 effect in night sleep, supporting their specific role in this trait.…”