Comparative analysis of selected targets of Ubx from Apis, Bombyx and Drosophila

Abstract

Hox genes are a group of genes that control the body plan of an organism along anterior posterior axis. Hox genes function as master control genes and they regulate the expression of downstream target genes. While insects such as Apis mellifera and Bombyx mori possess two pairs of wings, Drosophila has its hind wing modified into haltere. Ultrabithorax is a Hox family gene that functions to specify third thoracic segment in insects. In Drosophila, it suppresses the development of wing in T3 to specify the formation of haltere. Hedgehog (hh) and vestigial (vg) are targets of Ubx that are common to all the three species and are very important genes in the context of wing patterning and development. In this context, we investigate if the functions of hh and vg are conserved across the three insects and how proteins evolve independent of their functions. Quadrant enhancer of vg has been identified as a target of Ubx. Vg quadrant enhancer from Apis showed identical expression pattern between wing and haltere unlike its fly counterpart. Here, we investigate if quadrant enhancer of vg in Bombyx (which is also a target of Ubx) is differentially expressed or not. We test this hypothesis by generating transgenic Drosophila expressing GFP under the control of enhancer of vestigial from Bombyx. The construct is currently being tested for its expression. Also we made an attempt to make transgenic flies expressing hh and vg from Apis and Bombyx but could not succeed.