Function and Regulation of Angiotensin - converting enzyme related gene, Acer, during cardiogenesis of Drosophila
| Autor: | Huan-wen Lin, 林煥雯 |
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| Rok vydání: | 2005 |
| Druh dokumentu: | 學位論文 ; thesis |
| Popis: | 93 One of the major functions of the Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is to maintain the homeostasis of blood pressure in vertebrates. Members of the Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene family are also involved in heart development and morphogenesis. Previous studies have demonstrated that mammalian ACE2 and its Drosophila counterpart, Acer, are expressed in heart and associated tissues. Since cardiogenesis and regulatory genes that involved in heart development of fly and mammals are evolutionary conserved, and Drosophila as an excellent model system to dissect the genetic factor participated in heart development, we would like to unravel the function of Acer in heart development and dissect up-stream factors that regulate the expression of Acer. The dynamic expression pattern of Acer has been revealed by in situ hybridization. It has been shown that Acer is a maternal gene as it has been detected in fertilized egg. Its maternal expression late is disappeared, and it is expressed in dorsal mesoderm, which late contributes to cardial mesoderm, at germ extension stages. The mesodermally expressed Acer is persisted in heart precursors and persisted till the cardial cells fused to form a cardiac tube underneath the dorsal mid line. As Acer is mainly expressed in heart-specific manner, it suggests that it may function in heart development. Pervious studies have demonstrated that cardial as pericardial cells are missing in Acer mutant embryos. To further understanding the upstream factors that regulate the cardial expression of Acer, we have identified the cardial enhancer of Acer is located between -188 and 1211. The expression pattern of the reporter gene is similar to that of Acer. Further studies had demonstrated that Acer is under the direct control of tinman and pannier. Since ACE is also control the homeostasis of blood pressure, which affects the cardiovascular function of mammals, we would like to learn whether Acer is also function in adult fly. Previously studies suggested that heart beat as well as life span are not affect when Acer is overexpressed. Less than 5% of embryos are dead at late embryogenesis with ectopically cardial cells as Acer activity is elevated. Nevertheless, cardiac performance is great affected when Acer is mis-regulated, suggesting Acer is also function at adult stages. |
| Databáze: | Networked Digital Library of Theses & Dissertations |
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