FAS Abstracts 2004 Meeting Page

Biological Sciences (BIO D): BIO-31

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Genetic screen identifies genes that collaborate with nonmuscle myosin II and the RhoGTPase pathway to drive leg morphogenesis in Drosophila.  J.S. CHANG SWAIN.  SNHS-Biology, Barry University, 11300 NE 2^nd Avenue, Miami Shores, FL 33161.  The genetic combination RhoGEF2^1.1 zip^Ebr/SM5 (hypomorphic allele of zipper, which encodes nonmuscle myosin-II heavy chain and a mutation in RhoGEF2, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor that regulates myosin activity through the RhoA small GTPase) produces a visible malformed (mlf) phenotype at a penetrance of 30% and the stock becomes sensitive to reduced levels of a third gene or interactor.  Using the deficiency kits (180 stocks), 30 regions of the genome required for both zip and RhoGEF2 function were identified.  526 ndividual loci uncovered by these deficiencies were tested and 18 mutants strongly enhance while 74 mutants strongly suppress (74) the mlf phenotype.  (This study was performed at Duke University in the laboratory of Dr. Daniel Kiehart).