These consequences demonstrate the importance of the Myc protein in development. Moreover, d-myc RNA is present in Drosophila cells and its sequence and expression patterns are known. A first step in determining when and where the d-myc protein is expressed is to use a previously proven protein detection technique. Immunodetectin techniques which involve the use of antibodies to recognize and identify proteins have proven successful in the detection of mammalian Myc proteins. Moreover, two regions within the vertebrate Myc protein sequences are thought to be highly conserved.
Boxes indicate regions of apparent conservation and vertical lines indicate identical residues.
Conservative sequences are indicated by dots. Antibodies are prepared by injecting animals, such as mice or rabbits, with the antigen of interest. Subsequently, the animals mount an immune response which results in the production of antibodies directed against the foreign antigen. These particular antibody-producing cells are isolated from the animal and the antibodies are purified. To ensure that the protein that I locate is probably d-myc, control measures will be taken.