Gain-of-function analysis of traffic jam, a transcription factor expressed in Drosophila and mouse gonads.
Published: 2004
Language: eng
Number of pages: 139
Description: The gene traffic jam (tj) encodes a soma-specific, large Maf transcription factor, required for gonad morphogenesis in Drosophila. My gain-of-function analysis of tj in adult ovaries revealed both, defects in cell specification and cell behaviour. The ectopic expression of tj during oogenesis produced follicles with ectopic polar cells, missing inter-follicular stalks and stalk cells, absent or non-migrating border cells, non-migrating centripetal cells and defective stretch cells. These tj gain-of-function phenotypes mimic the phenotypes found in Jak-Stat signalling pathway mutants. My data suggest that TJ may normally be involved in cell specification, and may interact with the Jak-Stat signalling pathway. It was also found that two of the mouse homologues of tj, MafB and c-Maf , are expressed in somatic tissues of adult mouse gonads, suggesting that the role of tj in gonad development and gametogenesis may be evolutionarily conserved.
Notes: Adviser:  Dorothea Godt.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Toronto, 2004.

Electronic version licensed for access by U. of T. users.

Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 42-06, page: 2100.

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