Event Title
Developmental Gene Interactions in the Patterning of Genitalia in Jadera haematoloma
Location
Diamond 153
Start Date
1-5-2014 1:00 PM
End Date
1-5-2014 2:50 PM
Project Type
Presentation
Description
Genitalia are an important area of study in entomology, because they are responsible for egg laying and may be involved in reproductive isolation. These structures exhibit sexual dimorphism as well as rapid evolution, and arise from multiple body segments. Despite their importance, there has been limited research into the genitalia of insects, specifically the gene interactions responsible for patterning their development. This study examines the functions and interactions of three well-studied appendage-patterning genes (Distal-less, homothorax and dachshund) in the red-shouldered soapberry bug Jadera haematoloma with comparisons to the milkweed bud Oncopeltus fasciatus. Despite being distantly related, males of O. fasciatus and J. haematoloma have anatomically similar genital capsules consisting of external gonocoxopodites and claspers, and internal parameres. However, O. fasciatus females exist with a multi-jointed, subterminal ovipositor, while the ovipositor of J. haematoloma is reduced on unjointed plates. Suppression of gene function during juvenile stages was accomplished using RNA intereference, allowing inference of gene function during development in these species. Gene expression levels were measured using realtime PCR to determine gene interactions in each sex. The results highlight the importance of interactions among specific appendage patterning genes in the development of diverse anatomical structures.
Faculty Sponsor
Cathy Bevier
Sponsoring Department
Colby College. Biology Dept.
CLAS Field of Study
Natural Sciences
Event Website
http://www.colby.edu/clas
ID
816
Developmental Gene Interactions in the Patterning of Genitalia in Jadera haematoloma
Diamond 153
Genitalia are an important area of study in entomology, because they are responsible for egg laying and may be involved in reproductive isolation. These structures exhibit sexual dimorphism as well as rapid evolution, and arise from multiple body segments. Despite their importance, there has been limited research into the genitalia of insects, specifically the gene interactions responsible for patterning their development. This study examines the functions and interactions of three well-studied appendage-patterning genes (Distal-less, homothorax and dachshund) in the red-shouldered soapberry bug Jadera haematoloma with comparisons to the milkweed bud Oncopeltus fasciatus. Despite being distantly related, males of O. fasciatus and J. haematoloma have anatomically similar genital capsules consisting of external gonocoxopodites and claspers, and internal parameres. However, O. fasciatus females exist with a multi-jointed, subterminal ovipositor, while the ovipositor of J. haematoloma is reduced on unjointed plates. Suppression of gene function during juvenile stages was accomplished using RNA intereference, allowing inference of gene function during development in these species. Gene expression levels were measured using realtime PCR to determine gene interactions in each sex. The results highlight the importance of interactions among specific appendage patterning genes in the development of diverse anatomical structures.
https://digitalcommons.colby.edu/clas/2014/program/160