Biology subjects

Spradling, A. C.

Publications and source records attributed to Spradling, A. C..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2018

Efficient expression of genes in the Drosophila germline using a UAS-promoter free of interference by Hsp70 piRNAs

Controlling the expression of genes using a binary system involving the yeast GAL4 transcription factor has been a mainstay of Drosophila melanogaster developmental genetics for twenty-five years. However, most existing GAL4 expression constructs only function effectively in somatic cells, but not in germ cells during oogenesis, for unknown reasons. A special UAS promoter, UASp was created that does express during oogenesis, but the need to use different constructs for somatic and female germline cells has remained a significant technical limitation. Here we show that the expression problem of UASt and many other Drosophila molecular tools in germline cells is caused by their core Hsp70 promoter sequences, which are targeted in female germ cells by Hsp70-directed piRNAs generated from endogenous Hsp70 gene sequences. In a genetic background lacking genomic Hsp70 genes and associated piRNAs, UASt-based constructs function effectively during oogenesis. By reducing Hsp70 sequences targeted by piRNAs, we created UASz, which functions better than UASp in the germline and like UASt in somatic cells.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2018

Dietary lipids modulate Notch signaling and influence adult intestinal development and metabolism in Drosophila

Tissue homeostasis is a complex balance of developmental signals and environmental cues that dictate stem cell function. However, it remains poorly understood how nutrients interface with developmental pathways. Using the Drosophila midgut as a model we found that during the first four days of adult life, dietary lipids including cholesterol, determine how many enteroendocrine (ee) cells differentiate and persist in the posterior midgut where lipids are preferentially absorbed. The nuclear hormone receptor Hr96 which functions to control sterol trafficking, storage, and utilization, is required for sterol-mediated changes in ee number. Dietary cholesterol influences new intestinal epithelial cell differentiation from stem cells by altering the level and persistance of Notch signaling. Exogenous lipids modulate signaling by changing the stability of the Delta ligand and Notch intracellular domain and their trafficking in endosomal vesicles. Lipid-modulated Notch signaling occurs in other nutrient-dependent tissues such as the ovary, suggesting that Delta trafficking in many cells is sensitive to cellular sterol levels. These diet-mediated alterations in ee number in young animals contribute to a metabolic program adapted to the prevailing nutrient environment that persists after the diet changes. A low sterol diet also slows the proliferation of enteroendocrine tumors initiated by disruptions in the Notch pathway. These studies show that a specific dietary nutrient can modify a key intercellular signaling pathway to shift stem cell differentiation and cause lasting changes in tissue structure and physiology.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2018

Fragile X mental retardation protein is a size-dependent translational activator

FMR1 enhances translation of large neural/oocyte proteins\n\nMutations in the highly conserved Fragile X mental retardation gene (Fmr1) cause the most common inherited human intellectual disability/autism spectrum disorder. Fmr1 is also needed for ovarian follicle development, and lesions are the largest genetic cause of premature ovarian failure (POF). FMR1 associates with ribosomes and is thought to repress translation, but identifying functional targets has been difficult. We analyzed FMR1s role in quiescent Drosophila oocytes stored prior to ovulation, cells that depend entirely on translation of stored mRNA. Ribosome profiling revealed that in quiescent oocytes FMR1 stimulates the translation of large proteins, including at least twelve proteins whose human homologs are associated with dominant intellectual disability disorders, and 25 others associated with neural dysfunction. Knockdown of Fmr1 in unstored oocytes did not affect embryo development, but more than 50% of embryos derived from stored oocytes lacking FMR1 developed severe neural defects. Fmr1s previously unappreciated role promoting the translation of large proteins from stored mRNAs in oocytes and neurons may underlie POF as well as multiple aspects of neural dysfunction.

developmental biology↗