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The Involvement of Small G-protein ARL-6 in the Formation of Sensory Cilia

CSEF · 2005 Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology

Danielle B. Andrews · Torrey Pines High School, Encinitas

Overview

Objectives/Goals Compartmentalized cilia play an essential role in mechanosensory transduction and perception of the environment. The aim is to identify and verify highly-conserved proteins required for formation of sensory cilia. Methods/Materials A bioinformatic approach was utilized to identify homologous small G-protein genome sequences relatively conserved among evolutionarily divergent eukaryotes with compartmentalized cilia. An identified candidate gene was characterized genetically using deletion and point mutant stocks of D. melanogaster. Results Two candidate small G-proteins (Arl3 and 6) were identified by comparative genomics within 37 genes tested among the four eukaryotes with compartmentalized cilia. A Drosophila deletion stock mapped to a region around Arl6 crossed to two "potential mechanosensory point mutants" on chromosome 2 yielded uncoordinated flies unable to fly or walk. This phenotype is characteristic of flies with defects in compartmentalized ciliogenesis. Conclusions/Discussion Arl 6 is one of two genes identified by comparative genomics to be a protein conserved among organisms with compartmentalized cilia. An uncoordinated phenotype was demonstrated in Drosophila potentially defective in Arl6, validating the bioinformatic approach used to find key genes in perception/mechanosensory transduction. Further research should be done to determine whether Arl 6 transgene insertion can rescue the phenotype. The specific role of Arl 6 in ciliogenesis warrants further study.

Summary statement

Small G-protein Arl6 appears involved in the formation of a specific type of cilia required for mechanical sensing of the environment.

Help received

Dr. Charles Zuker, Senior Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, allowed me to work in his laboratory under the guidance of his post-doctoral fellow, Dr. Tomer Avidor-Reiss. Dr. Avidor-Reiss provided guidance and training in computational bioinformatics and genetic methods.

Awards (1)

  • Category Award

Competition history

  • CSEF 2005 Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology · Entry S0401

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