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Dissertation
Extramacrochaetae promotes branch and bouton number via the sequestration of Daughterless in the cytoplasm of neurons
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Sep 2019
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00000959
Abstract
Class I basic Helix-Loop-Helix (bHLH) proteins are highly conserved transcription factors which have been extensively studied for their roles during development, especially as master regulators of embryonic neurogenesis. Class I bHLH proteins hetero- or homodimerize in order to bind DNA at E box (CANNTG) consensus sequences to control tissue specific transcription. Due to the ubiquitous expression of class I bHLH proteins, negative regulators such as class V HLH proteins provide post-translational modifications to class I bHLH protein function. Historically, class I bHLH and class V HLH proteins have been explored in a number of mitotic cells, however their role in neurons remains unclear. The major objective of this work was to explore the interplay of Da and the class V HLH protein Extramacrochaetae (Emc) in the motor neurons of Drosophila melanogaster. We show that part of the molecular logic that specifies how Da functions in neurogenesis is conserved in neurons. We show that Emc binds to and represses Da function by sequestering Da to the cytoplasm of motor neurons. This inhibition of Da function by Emc leads to an increase in the expression of the cell adhesion molecule, Neurexin, an established target gene of Da in neurons. This work provides initial insight into the mechanisms underlying the interplay of Da and Emc in neurons and how the balance of both proteins leads to proper neuronal circuit formation.
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Details
- Title
- Extramacrochaetae promotes branch and bouton number via the sequestration of Daughterless in the cytoplasm of neurons
- Creators
- Edward A. Waddell
- Contributors
- Daniel Marenda (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- x, 192 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biology; College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991014695545404721