Identification of Tissue-Specific mRNA Expression from the Hdc gene of Drosophila melanogaster
Presentation Type
Poster/Portfolio
Presenter Major(s)
Biomedical Sciences
Mentor Information
Martin Burg
Department
Biomedical Sciences
Location
Kirkhof Center KC38
Start Date
11-4-2012 9:00 AM
Keywords
Life Science
Abstract
The Histidine decarboxylase (Hdc) gene is responsible for the synthesis of histamine in both the brain and peripheral tissues. Recently, two mRNA isoforms of the Hdc gene were identified, which differ at either end of the mRNA molecule. The goal of this project is to determine whether Hdc mRNA isoform expression is tissue-specific, reflecting the difference in histamine distribution in the adult fly. Currently, two regions of the Hdc gene are being used for anti-sense riboprobe synthesis: one probe should bind to all Hdc mRNAs, and the other probe should bind specifically to a unique mRNA isoform. DNA for probe synthesis was cloned and antisense riboprobe for the common isoform has been synthesized using a FISH Tag RNA kit. This riboprobe is currently being hybridized to tissue sections from adults to demonstrate the location of general Hdc expression. Future work will use the second probe to determine whether a unique isoform from the Hdc gene is tissue-specific.
Identification of Tissue-Specific mRNA Expression from the Hdc gene of Drosophila melanogaster
Kirkhof Center KC38
The Histidine decarboxylase (Hdc) gene is responsible for the synthesis of histamine in both the brain and peripheral tissues. Recently, two mRNA isoforms of the Hdc gene were identified, which differ at either end of the mRNA molecule. The goal of this project is to determine whether Hdc mRNA isoform expression is tissue-specific, reflecting the difference in histamine distribution in the adult fly. Currently, two regions of the Hdc gene are being used for anti-sense riboprobe synthesis: one probe should bind to all Hdc mRNAs, and the other probe should bind specifically to a unique mRNA isoform. DNA for probe synthesis was cloned and antisense riboprobe for the common isoform has been synthesized using a FISH Tag RNA kit. This riboprobe is currently being hybridized to tissue sections from adults to demonstrate the location of general Hdc expression. Future work will use the second probe to determine whether a unique isoform from the Hdc gene is tissue-specific.