zerknüllt

DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY

Embryonic

zen transcripts are distributed along the dorsal surface of precellular embryos, including the anterior and posterior poles. In cross section, transcripts encompass 40% of the circumference. By onset of gastrulation [Images], expression is lost from the poles, and is restriced to 10% of the circumference. Transcripts are detected in portions of the dorsal ectoderm that are anterior to the presumptive ectoderm and might correspond to the future optic lobe. Transcripts are detected in a subset of pole cells within the posterior midgut. There are interesting subtle differences between localization of Z1 and Z2 transcripts (Rushlow, 1987).

Effects of Mutation or Deletion

Advanced stage zen mutants show a twisting along the germ band and a failure of head involution. The phenotype can be explained on the basis of a transformation in cell fate of the dorsal most ectoderm toward a more ventral pathway of differentiation (Rushlow, 1987). In zen mutants, the cephalic furrow [Images] arises from a more dorsal region. Furthermore, the anterior and posterior transverse furrows (dorsal folds) are virtually absent. There is a failure of posterior midgut invagination to extend anteriorly along the dorsal surface. The amnioserosa is absent (Rushlow, 1990).

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date revised: 10 May 2005 

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