Identification of Telomere Regulating Genes in Drosophila melanogaster
Patrick Elysee
Sydney Sieh-Takata
Billy Nguyen
Isabella J. Hanesworth
Murad Kaid
Chad E. Jacob
Nikole Ortiz
Stevencia Guervil
Karina Mejia
Francisco Ricci
Allaysia Bradley
Bobbi Kennedy
Steena Samuel
Besjan Kelmendi
Chun Zhou
10.6084/m9.figshare.12148644.v1
https://tagc2020.figshare.com/articles/poster/Identification_of_Telomere_Regulating_Genes_in_Drosophila_melanogaster/12148644
<p>Telomeres contribute to the maintenance of chromosome stability. In
Drosophila melanogaster, telomeres are composed of and extended by non-LTR
retrotransposons. Previously, a genetic factor called Telomere elongation (Tel) was discovered on the third chromosome of fruit flies that can
enhance telomere elongation. Another telomere-elongating gene was also
identified in this chromosomal region. In the present study, we used a
bioinformatic approach to identify the genes in this chromosomal region that
have been indicated to influence chromosomal stability. We <u>hypothesized</u> that the genes that can modulate chromosomal structure or
remodeling have the potential to regulate the telomere length or structure. We
extracted genomic DNA from various mutant strains of these candidate genes.
Using real-time PCR, we have analyzed the telomere length among different
mutant strains. In addition, to probe whether disruption of these gene
candidates causes a structural defect of telomeres, we are performing polytene
chromosome staining. Currently, we have identified two genes, CG6026 and Ino80, whose mutation can lead
to elongated telomeres while other tested candidate genes do not affect the
telomere length. This research can help understand the molecular regulatory
mechanisms of telomere elongation and structure in fruit flies, which in turn
may shed light on the mechanisms of alternative lengthening of telomeres in
human cancer cells. </p>
2020-04-20 22:59:50
Telomere
Chromosome
Retrotransposon
Real-time PCR
Polytene
Drosophila
Telomere elongation
Genetics
Genetics