# NEURAL DEFORMED REGULATION IN DROSOPHILA AND VERTEBRATES

> **NIH NIH K11** · YALE UNIVERSITY · 1994 · $93,780

## Abstract

The purpose of the research in this proposal is to study the tissue-
specific regulation of the Deformed (Dfd) gene and its vertebrate
homologues during the development of the nervous system.  The laboratory
research will be performed in conjunction with a didactic program guided by
the sponsor and a review committee.  Through this plan, the candidate will
develop the technical expertise, fundamental knowledge, and intellectual
scientific approach necessary for an independent and productive career in
the molecular study of development.

Phase 1 of this proposal will include formal coursework and seminars, as
well as the first part of the proposed research, under the close
supervision of Dr. William McGinnis.  Phase 2 will be characterized by a
continuation of the outlined laboratory investigations on a more
independent level, and collaboration with Dr. Frank Ruddle for the detailed
development and execution of the vertebrate studies.

The research goals will be carried out by a combination of molecular,
biochemical, genetic, and transgenic approaches.  The project focuses on
Dfd, a homeobox-containing homeotic selector gene that determines head-
specific fates in the Drosophila embryo.  A recently identified regulatory
element from the Dfd locus specifies expression of a reporter gene in a
subset of the normal Dfd pattern, including part of the central nervous
system, the subesophageal ganglion.

This element will be characterized and compared to another Dfd regulatory
region (an epidermal enhancer) by cross-hybridization and sequence
comparison.  Genetic crosses will be used to understand the regulation of
these elements by candidate genes, including Dfd itself.  And rescue of Dfd
null flies will be attempted with the Dfd cDNA.

A regulatory region from a human Dfd cognate gene directs expression in the
nervous system of transgenic mice.  This vertebrate control element will be
compared with the Drosophila Dfd neural-specific element in biochemical and
functional tests, including transgenic mouse studies, to determine what is
important for regulatory function in these evolutionarily conserved genes
from such highly diverged sources.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2194454
- **Project number:** 5K11HD000976-03
- **Recipient organization:** YALE UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** FL6GV84CKN57
- **Principal Investigator:** LILY J LOU
- **Activity code:** K11 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $93,780
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1992-02-01 → 1997-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2194454

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2194454, NEURAL DEFORMED REGULATION IN DROSOPHILA AND VERTEBRATES (5K11HD000976-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2194454. Licensed CC0.

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