An Ao-kay thesis: A cytological approach to the molecular role of Abnormal Oocyte (ao) Restricted; Files Only

Abstract

Abnormal oocyte (ao, formerly: abo) is a Drosophila maternal effect gene first characterized in 1970. Loss-of-function mutations cause lethality during early embryogenesis but can be rescued with excess heterochromatin. Later characterization suggested that Ao negatively regulates histone gene expression, providing a satisfying mechanistic explanation for earlier observations. After this discovery, ao received little attention. We recently developed new ao genetic tools and discovered Ao is likely not a histone regulator in ovaries, despite localizing to the histone gene cluster. In order to determine if Ao influences histones in other tissues, we leveraged our endogenously tagged ao transgenes. Here, we show Ao does not localize to the histone gene cluster in larval polytene chromosomes, as previously shown, even in an overexpression environment. However, we observe Ao localization to the histone genes in blastula-stage and later embryos, indicating tissue specificity. Yet, even in embryos, Ao does not affect histone transcript levels. Further entangling our understanding of Ao, is that our recent work illustrated Ao levels were sensitive to histone gene stoichiometry. Thus, we also assess Ao localization in a reduced and histone gene environment. Our work indicates Ao localization without regulation and reopens the fifty-year-old mystery into the role of Ao with potential insights into its molecular mechanism.

Table of Contents

Abstract......................................................................................................................... 1

 

Introduction.................................................................................................................. 1

 

Results.......................................................................................................................... 3

 

Discussion.................................................................................................................. 11

 

Materials and Methods.............................................................................................. 16

 

Author Contributions................................................................................................. 23

 

References.................................................................................................................. 24

 

Supplemental Figures............................................................................................... 29

 

Appendix..................................................................................................................... 34

About this Honors Thesis

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Emory College
Department	Biology
Degree	B.S.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Biology, Evolution and Development Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics
Palavra-chave	Drosophila Histone Cell cycle Microscopy Embryogenesis Immunofluorescence Gene Regulation
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Rieder, Leila, Emory University
Committee Members	Cafferty, Patrick , Emory University Weinschenk, Matthew , Emory University

Última modificação

Primary PDF

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions
	File download under embargo until 08 January 2026	2024-12-11 14:37:52 -0500	File download under embargo until 08 January 2026

Supplemental Files

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions