The Notch connection

Article Abstract:

Studies reveal that nematodes, frogs, fish, rodents and humans contain homologues of the Notch gene found in Drosophila, and the structure and functioning of these genes is similar in both vertebrates and invertebrates. In Drosophila, Notch genes are involved in neuronal development as a receptor indicating neuron cell differentiation but Notch-mediated signalling is not only in neural tissues. Notch and Delta or Jagged genes are co-expressed in vertebrate embryos' nerve cord. The conservation of Notch is an example of conservation of developmental mechanism during evolution.

Observations, Evolution (Biology), Gene expression, Evolution

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Integrin-mediated short-term memory in Drosophila

Article Abstract:

It has been possible to isolate a new Drosophila memory gene, Volado (Vol). This gene encodes a new alpha-integrin, a type of cell-surface receptor that dynamically mediates cell adhesion and signal transduction. Conditional expression of Vol shortly prior to training rescues the memory deficit of Vol mutants. This research indicates a role for integrins in behavioural plasticity, and is therefore well aligned with studies demonstrating integrin-dependent modulation of synaptic plasticity.

Memory

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The long and the short of it

Article Abstract:

Short-germ insect embryos may use segmentation mechanisms of paired genes. The research of R. Sommer and D. Tautz found that the patterns of flour beetle embryos resemble the pair rules of Drosophila fruit flies which are long germ. It was thought that only long-germ insects have pair rules, but now short-germ species such as flour beetles and locusts may be found to also use paired genes, and the confirmation of this idea could come soon.

Developmental biology, Insects, Locusts, Locusts (Insects), Flour beetles

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