The apterous gene in Drosophila encodes a protein required for wing patterning and growth. It is also known to function in nerve development, fertility, and viability. When human and mouse genes whose protein products closely resemble apterous were used to generate transgenic Drosophila [Rincon-Limas et al. (1999). Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. (USA) 96:2165–2170], the apterous mutant phenotype was rescued. In addition, the whole-body expression patterns in the transgenic Drosophila were similar to normal apterous.

What do these results indicate about the molecular nature of development?

Key Concepts

Gene Function and Expression

Genes encode proteins that perform specific functions in an organism. The apterous gene in Drosophila is crucial for various developmental processes, including wing patterning and nerve development. Understanding how genes express their functions in different tissues helps elucidate their roles in development and how mutations can lead to phenotypic changes.

Transgenic Organisms

Transgenic organisms are genetically modified to carry genes from other species. In this case, human and mouse genes resembling the apterous gene were introduced into Drosophila to study their effects. This approach allows researchers to investigate gene function and the conservation of developmental pathways across species, providing insights into evolutionary biology.

Phenotypic Rescue

Phenotypic rescue occurs when a mutant phenotype is restored to a wild-type condition through genetic intervention. The successful rescue of the apterous mutant phenotype by introducing similar genes from humans and mice suggests that the underlying molecular mechanisms of development are conserved across species. This indicates that certain developmental processes are fundamental and can be influenced by homologous genes.