RNAi Knockdown of the eggless Gene and its Effects on Fourth Chromosome Recombination Rates of Drosophila melanogaster
Poster Number
24
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Biology
Abstract
Meiotic recombination is the natural process by which homologous chromosomes exchange pieces of information. While this process increases variation in germ cells, it is also essential for proper chromosome separation during the first meiotic division. Incorrect chromosome segregation can result in aneuploid gametes, which contain an incorrect number of chromosomes. Aneuploidy often leads to detrimental side effects, including fetal death. Despite a generous understanding of the molecular mechanisms of meiotic recombination, the forces that determine where recombination events will occur are still largely unknown. In our research, we focus on modifications to the Drosophila gene eggless to determine if heterochromatin levels affect recombination rates. Drosophila chromosome 4 is used for study because of its high heterochromatin content. In one experiment, heterozygotes for the mutation egg1473 are scored for crossovers on the fourth chromosome. In another experiment, several RNAi lines are tested for eggless knockdown in the germarium, the tissue where meiotic recombination occurs in female Drosophila. The line with the most effective knockdown will be used for future crossover assays.
Honors Thesis Committee
Kathryn Kohl, Ph.D.; Matthew Stern, Ph.D.; and Kristi Westover, Ph.D.
Grant Support?
Supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health IDeA Networks for Biomedical Research Excellence (NIH-INBRE)
Start Date
21-4-2017 12:00 PM
RNAi Knockdown of the eggless Gene and its Effects on Fourth Chromosome Recombination Rates of Drosophila melanogaster
Rutledge
Meiotic recombination is the natural process by which homologous chromosomes exchange pieces of information. While this process increases variation in germ cells, it is also essential for proper chromosome separation during the first meiotic division. Incorrect chromosome segregation can result in aneuploid gametes, which contain an incorrect number of chromosomes. Aneuploidy often leads to detrimental side effects, including fetal death. Despite a generous understanding of the molecular mechanisms of meiotic recombination, the forces that determine where recombination events will occur are still largely unknown. In our research, we focus on modifications to the Drosophila gene eggless to determine if heterochromatin levels affect recombination rates. Drosophila chromosome 4 is used for study because of its high heterochromatin content. In one experiment, heterozygotes for the mutation egg1473 are scored for crossovers on the fourth chromosome. In another experiment, several RNAi lines are tested for eggless knockdown in the germarium, the tissue where meiotic recombination occurs in female Drosophila. The line with the most effective knockdown will be used for future crossover assays.
