The following mutations have been introduced into exon 4 of gsb-n : a single base pair deletion (resulting in a frameshift), an additional point mutation (generating a SpeI site) and two closely spaced in-frame amber and ochre stop codons. The mutations truncate the gsb-n protein after Asp164, the first amino acid of the extended homeodomain.
Homozygous embryos show no obvious abnormalities in the SNa, ISN or ISNb motor axons.
Df(2R)gsb/+, gsb-nD-19A has lethal phenotype
Df(2R)gsb/+, gsb-nD-19A has abnormal neuroanatomy | embryonic stage phenotype
Df(2R)GGGd13/+, gsb-nD-19A has lethal phenotype
Df(2R)GGGd13/+, gsb-nD-19A has abnormal neuroanatomy | embryonic stage phenotype
Df(2R)gsbdb/+, gsb-nD-19A has lethal phenotype
Df(2R)gsbdb/+, gsb-nD-19A has abnormal neuroanatomy | embryonic stage phenotype
Df(2R)gsb/+, gsb-nD-19A has larval segmental nerve branch SNa of A1-7 phenotype
Df(2R)GGGd13/+, gsb-nD-19A has larval segmental nerve branch SNa of A1-7 phenotype
Df(2R)gsbdb/+, gsb-nD-19A has larval segmental nerve branch SNa of A1-7 phenotype
Two types of SNa axon defect are seen in embryos which carry gsb-nD-19A and are also transheterozygous for a deficiency removing both gsb-n and gsb (either Df(2R)gsb, Df(2R)GGGd13 or Df(2R)gsbdb respectively): a 'thin' SNa phenotype, where the axons appear thinner but the normal bifurcation of the SNa is retained (72%, 75% and 80% respectively) and a 'bifurcation missing' phenotype where the SNa axons lack the normal bifurcation and instead project inappropriately into the lateral muscle field (14%, 11% and 10% respectively).
Analysis of marked NB5-4 SNa motor neuron clones in gsb-nD-19A/Df(2R)GGGd13 embryos indicates that they show ectopic innervation of ventral muscles 27 and 29 in 90% of cases (these muscles are targeted by the SNc in wild-type embryos). In 92% of the clones that show these ectopic SNc innervations, the SNa projection is ether partially or completely missing. The recognisable SNa motor axons sometimes form only one of the normal two branches, or stall before reaching the lateral muscle field.
The shape of muscles and the location of their attachment to the epidermis appears normal in gsb-nD-19A/Df(2R)GGGd13 embryos.
gsb-nD-19A/Df(2R)GGGd13 is rescued by Scer\GAL4elav-C155/gsb-nUAS.cHa
gsb-nD-19A/Df(2R)gsb is partially rescued by gsb-n+mRes-deltaIN3
Two copies of gsb-n+mRes-deltaIN3 rescue 70-80% of gsb-nD-19A/Df(2R)gsb animals to fertile adults.
gsb-n+mRes-deltaIN3 completely rescues the SNa axon defects of gsb-nD-19A/Df(2R)gsb embryos.
Expression of gsb-nScer\UAS.cHa under the control of Scer\GAL4elav-C155 almost completely rescues the SNa axon defects of gsb-nD-19A/Df(2R)GGGd13 embryos.