Genes encoding cuticular proteins are components of the Nimrod gene cluster in Drosophila |
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| Institution: | 1. Immunology Unit, Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, P.O.Box 521, H-6701, Szeged, Hungary;2. Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-40530 Gothenburg, Sweden;3. Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, P.O.Box 521, H-6701, Szeged, Hungary;4. Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary;5. Department of Neuroscience, Functional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Sweden Institution För Neurovetenskap BMC, Husargatan 3, Box 593 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden |
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| Abstract: | The Nimrod gene cluster, located on the second chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster, is the largest synthenic unit of the Drosophila genome. Nimrod genes show blood cell specific expression and code for phagocytosis receptors that play a major role in fruit fly innate immune functions. We previously identified three homologous genes (vajk-1, vajk-2 and vajk-3) located within the Nimrod cluster, which are unrelated to the Nimrod genes, but are homologous to a fourth gene (vajk-4) located outside the cluster. Here we show that, unlike the Nimrod candidates, the Vajk proteins are expressed in cuticular structures of the late embryo and the late pupa, indicating that they contribute to cuticular barrier functions. |
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| Keywords: | Gene cluster Nimrod Innate immunity Cuticle development Trachea |
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