nerd: A Neuron-Specific Gene in Drosophila Melanogaster Related to Vertebrate GAP-43

<p>The neuronal protein GAP-43 has been implicated in a number of key processes in neural development and synaptic behavior. There have been no reports identifying an invertebrate molecule with homology to GAP-43. In this study we have begun to explore the biochemistry and genetics of the Drosophila gene nerd, which was isolated by vitrue of its DNA homology to mammalian GAP-43. Two proteins arise from the nerd locus and share a conserved motif, the GAP43 module. This twenty amino acid domain unites a small family of brainspecific mammalian proteins that are believed to function similarly. Based on protein sequence, biochemical activities and nervous system-specific tissue distribution we argue that nerd represents a functional homolog of vertebrate GAP-43. The possibility of a mutational analysis of nerd makes the study of this gene in Drosophila a valuable extention of previous studies in vertebrate systems. An initial characterization of mutants that map within or close to the nerd region on the second chromosome is detailed.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Year

1994

Author dc:creator

• Neel, Victor

Contributors dc:contributor

• Michael W. Young

• GAP-43
• Drosophila
• nerd gene
• neural development
• homolog
• nervous system
• Life Sciences

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.rockefeller.edu/student_theses_and_dissertations/350

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.rockefeller.edu:student_theses_and_dissertations-1360