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FB2025_02
,
released April 17, 2025
bHLH transcription factor - achaete-scute complex - functions as the proneural factor for photoreceptors and effects the transition from progenitor cells to differentiating neurons - Olfactory receptor neurons are specified by Atonal and pioneer the formation of the antennal lobe, the first olfactory center in the brain
Please see the JBrowse view of Dmel\ato for information on other features
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AlphaFold produces a per-residue confidence score (pLDDT) between 0 and 100. Some regions with low pLDDT may be unstructured in isolation.
Gene model reviewed during 5.49
1.6 (northern blot)
There is only one protein coding transcript and one polypeptide associated with this gene
312 (aa); 34 (kD)
Efficient DNA binding requires dimerization with another bHLH protein. Forms a heterodimer with Daughterless.
Click to get a list of regulatory features (enhancers, TFBS, etc.) and gene disruptions (point mutations, indels, etc.) within or overlapping Dmel\ato using the Feature Mapper tool.
The testis specificity index was calculated from modENCODE tissue expression data by Vedelek et al., 2018 to indicate the degree of testis enrichment compared to other tissues. Scores range from -2.52 (underrepresented) to 5.2 (very high testis bias).
In embryonic brain, expressed in two small clusters of cells (3-5 cells in each hemisphere) in the dorsal central brain; during stage 13 only. In L3 brain, detected in the inner proliferation center of the optic lobes and in two clusters of 20-30 cells in each of the central brain hemispheres.
In imaginal discs, ato transcripts are expressed in a dynamic pattern. Expression occurs in epidermal clusters followed by stronger expression in a smaller number of subepidermal cells in place of each cluster. These are almost exclusively the proneural clusters and SOPs of the chordotonal organs. It is also expressed in the morphogenetic furrow and in the inner proliferation zone of the developing brain. Embryonic expression is also characterized by a dynamic pattern of clusters and stripes that are thought to correspond to the proneural clusters and SOPs of chordotonal organs.
ato-protein expression detected in the inner proliferation center of the developing optic lobe.
ato is expressed in the developing retina in a broad stripe anterior to the morphogenetic furrow. It is later expressed in small clusters of roughly 20 cells and later in the developing photoreceptor cell R8.
Expression in procephalic neuroblasts stage 9-11: deuterocerebrum - d9, d11-13, v1, v3; protocerebrum - pd19
In stages 8-10 ato protein, a marker for sensory precursors, is expressed in small patches in the antennal and preantennal ectoderm. 7 neuroblasts are derived from these patches. Expression of ato in the procephalic region is largely complementary to that of proneural genes of the Achaete-Scute-Complex.
In embryonic brain, expressed in two small clusters of cells (3-5 cells in each hemisphere) in the dorsal central brain; tentatively identified as ganglion mother cells; during stage 13 only. In each hemisphere of the adult brain, expressed in a cluster of about 30 cells adjacent to the lobula and in another group of cells in the ventro-lateral brain.
Double labelling experiments were done to reveal the site of expression of ato relative to dpp which marks the deepest part of the morphogenetic furrow. ato protein expression begins just anterior (about 2-3 cell diameters) to dpp (as revealed by β-galactosidase). Refinement to intermediate clusters takes place just anterior to the edge of dpp expression and confinement to future R8 cells occurs in the deepest part of the furrow. Double staining with anti-ato antibodies and phalloidin reveals that the restriction of ato to intermediate groups precedes the patterning revealed by phalloiding staining. ato protein also marks the R8 cell before it is recognized by other markers or histological staining.
Comment: reference states 36 hr APF
Comment: 55h APF
JBrowse - Visual display of RNA-Seq signals
View Dmel\ato in JBrowse3-48
3-44.9
Please Note FlyBase no longer curates genomic clone accessions so this list may not be complete
Please Note This section lists cDNAs and ESTs that fall within the genomic extent of the gene model, which may include cDNAs and ESTs of genes within introns, or of overlapping genes. Please see JBrowse for alignment of the cDNAs and ESTs to the gene model.
For each fully sequenced cDNA the DGRC maintains various forms of the cDNA (e.g tagged or untagged) in several different host vectors for subsequent cloning and expression in Drosophila and Drosophila cell lines.
monoclonal
polyclonal
ato is required for the normal formation of the larval dorsal organ.
dsRNA has been made from templates generated with primers directed against this gene. RNAi of ato results in reduced numbers of class I da neurons and altered arborization patterns of class I dendrites. RNAi also causes alterations in the number of MD neurons and defects in dendrite morphogenesis.
Larvae injected with dsRNA against ato show normal thermotactic behaviour.
Ectopic expression of ato in the precursors of md neurons transforms all aspects of their central projection to form a ch-like arborization.
ato is required for proper axon branching and arborisation in the central brain (where it does not act as a proneural gene).
ato is sufficient for specification of coeloconic sensilla in the antenna.
Reduced ato function gives rise to R8 photoreceptors that are functionally compromised: both recruitment and axon pathfinding defects are evident.
ato regulates signalling and other properties of R8 photoreceptor cell precursors.
A negative regulatory loop involving MAPK activation and ato repression is required for the generation of evenly spaced proneural clusters in the developing eye imaginal disc.
ato functions to drive cells to Bolwig's organ as opposed to optic lobe fate in the developing embryonic visual system.
Candidate gene for quantitative trait (QTL) locus determining bristle number.
Loss of function and overexpression studies reveal ato is both necessary and sufficient to specify one morphological type of olfactory sensilla on the antenna and all olfactory sensilla on the maxillary palp.
All proneural proteins are similarly able to promote the segregation of a neural precursor at the MP2 neuroblast position but show distinct capacities in its specification.
The basic domain of ato contains neuronal type specificity that determines the activity in the formation of the chordotonal organs.
ato encodes the proneural gene for chordotonal organs and photoreceptors. The restriction of ato expression to the intermediate groups in the eye disc is, with sca expression, the earliest ommatidial patterning event identified. ato and sca expression identify the R8 cell before it is recognisable by other markers or histological staining.
The ato gene was identified in a PCR screen for genes sharing features with the basic helix loop helix domains of the achaete-scute genes. Mutant analysis indicates that ato is a proneural gene required for the formation of chordotonal organs.
Source for identity of: ato CG7508
