| Modification Notes |
Drosophila melanogaster is a proven and effective model for studying developmental and cellular processes common to higher eukaryotes. Approximately 13,600 genes have been elucidated from more than 120 megabases of euchromatin, and they are organized among the chromosomes 2, 3, 4, X and Y, with the Y chromosome being predominately heterochromatic. Drosophila genes can be categorized based on the type of protein for which they encode and are represented by six major classifications, which include intracellular signaling proteins, transmembrane proteins, RNA binding proteins, secreted factors, transcription regulators (basic helix-loop-helix, homeodomain containing, zinc finger containing, and chromatin associated) or other functional proteins. The decapentaplegic (dpp) locus of Drosophila melanogaster is an over 55 kb genetic unit that is required for proper pattern formation during the embryonic and imaginal development of the organism. The Drosophila decapentaplegic gene maps to chromosome 2 and encodes a 588 amino acid, secreted signaling protein of the TGF∫ class. |
