Subject: flybase update
Dear Michael,
We now have good evidence that one of the Ubx target genes listed in
flybase (lips) corresponds to the previously described zygotic
lethal, canoe. The reasons are 1) we have sequenced a strong
canoe allele and found a stop codon near the beginning of the
lips ORF and 2) in the most recent issue of Genes and Development,
a Japanese group claims to have sequenced canoe. Unfortunately they
are probably right: their sequence is nearly identical to our lips
sequence. However, if you read their paper, I think you'll agree that
their evidence for saying this is canoe is not very compelling. In any
case, I think it is appropriate that the flybase entry is updated so
that there isn't any confusion. We will hopefully be submitting our version
of the canoe molecular biology for publication soon.
Best regards,
Richard