Kouji Yasuyama
   Department   Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare  ,
   Position   Professor with Special Assignment
Article types 原著
Language English
Peer review Peer reviewed
Title Immunocytochemical study of choline acetyltransferase in Drosophila melanogaster: an analysis of cis-regulatory regions controlling expression in the brain of cDNA transformed flies.
Journal Formal name:The Journal of comparative neurology
Abbreviation:J Comp Neurol
ISSN code:00219967/10969861
Volume, Issue, Page 361(1),pp.25-37
Author and coauthor Yasuyama Kouji, Kitamoto Toshihiro, Salvaterra Paul M.
Authorship Lead author
Publication date 1995/10
Summary We have analyzed the cis-regulatory regions in the 5' flanking DNA of the Drosophila melanogaster choline acetyltransferase (ChAT; E.C. 2.3.1.6) gene by using germline transformants. These transformants are carrying wild-type ChAT cDNA fused to different lengths of 5' flanking sequence of the ChAT gene. Appropriate genetic crosses were used to introduce the transgene into animals with a presumptive null genetic background for endogenous ChAT. Expression of ChAT protein could thus be attributed exclusively to the transgene. Using a monoclonal antibody against Drosophila ChAT, we have investigated the spatial distribution of transgenic ChAT and compared it to the normal distribution of ChAT protein in wild-type animals. The brains of 7.4 kb cDNA transformants showed a ChAT expression pattern similar to that of wild-type anin in the first- and second-order sensory neuropil but reduced expression in other highly ordered neuropil. Several lines that were transformed with 1.2 kb or 0.8 kb of 5' flanking DNA demonstrated relatively normal expression in sensory neuropil. In addition, these lines also showed ectopic expression in higher order neuropil. In the optic lobe, the expression pattern directed by 7.4 kb of 5' flanking DNA was very similar to that of wild-type ChAT expression. In contrast, 1.2 kb or 0.8 kb transformants showed reduced levels of expression and a more limited pattern of distribution in the optic lobe. Our results suggest that the 5' flanking DNA of the ChAT gene can be divided into several separable positive and negative regulatory regions, which define various subsets of cholinergic neurons in the nervous system.
DOI 10.1002/cne.903610103