Potential role for a FTZ-F1 steroid receptor superfamily member in the control of Drosophila metamorphosis

Area of Science:

• Developmental Biology
• Genetics
• Endocrinology

Background:

• FTZ-F1 is a steroid receptor superfamily member involved in early Drosophila embryogenesis.
• Steroid hormone ecdysone triggers intense chromosome puffing activity at metamorphosis onset.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clone and characterize a developmental isoform of FTZ-F1.
• To investigate the role of FTZ-F1 in insect metamorphosis and its chromosomal targets.

Main Methods:

• Cloning of a developmental FTZ-F1 isoform.
• Indirect immunofluorescent staining on Drosophila polytene chromosomes.

Main Results:

• FTZ-F1 isoform is expressed from the midprepupal 75CD chromosome puff.
• FTZ-F1 binds to over 150 chromosomal targets, including 75CD and late prepupal puffs.
• Identified FTZ-F1 targets are predicted to be regulated by midprepupal puff proteins.

Conclusions:

• FTZ-F1 acts as a regulator of insect metamorphosis.
• This highlights the repeated use of regulatory proteins in distinct developmental pathways.