High impact information on Poxn

• Our results demonstrate that DPTP69D and DPTP99A are required for motor axon guidance and that they have partially redundant functions during development of the neuro-muscular system [1].
• However, the molecular studies were misleading, that is, until some elementary neuro-anatomical observations, involving the expression of a 'clock gene' in Drosophila, gave the experiments in this molecular-neurogenetic area of chronobiology a new direction [2].
• Two new paired domain genes of Drosophila, Pox meso and Pox neuro, are described [3].
• Finally, functions crucial for the ability of the male to copulate depend on an enhancer that activates Pox neuro expression in the embryonic ventral cord [4].
• We have identified at least 15 enhancers with an astounding complexity in arrangement and substructure that regulate Pox neuro functions required for the development of the peripheral and central nervous system and of most appendages [4].

Biological context of Poxn

• While no mutant phenotypes of Pox meso and Pox neuro have yet been discovered, a murine gene with a paired domain closely homologous to that of Pox meso has recently been identified with the undulated mutant [3].
• The external morphology of putative chemosensory bristles, number of innervating neurons, and cell division pattern are all affected in the mutants, showing that poxn is strictly required for development of the adult chemosensory bristles [5].
• These results indicate that the poxn gene plays crucial roles in the morphogenesis of the appendages, in addition to its role in the early specification of neuronal identity [6].
• These results imply that poxn is required in two distinct steps in the development of the larval PNS: (1) development of the larval p-es organs during embryogenesis and (2) re-formation of larval sensory hairs after each larval moult [6].
• We have identified a small domain of the very large cut regulatory region as a likely target for activation by poxn [7].

Anatomical context of Poxn

• The loss of poxn function results in defects of segmentation of the tarsus and antenna and in a distortion in the wing hinge [6].
• Here, we analyse the function of poxn in the development of the larval peripheral nervous system (PNS) and in other developmental aspects using a loss-of-function mutant of poxn [6].

Associations of Poxn with chemical compounds

• The neuro-muscular preparations were fixed with formaldehyde and labelled with a neurone-specific antibody and 10 or 5 nm colloidal gold-conjugated secondary antibodies [8].

Other interactions of Poxn

• Owing to cacophony being originally identified as a "behavioral gene," the possible significance of Dmca1A RNA editing for influencing the relevant neuro-functional phenotypes is discussed [9].

Analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic context of Poxn

• Here we show, by electron microscopy analysis of normal and transformed bristles and by Dil labeling of the innervating neurons, that poxn also controls the number of neurons [10].
• The Drosophila Pox neuro gene: control of male courtship behavior and fertility as revealed by a complete dissection of all enhancers [4].

References