The regulated expression of an intrabody produces a mutant phenotype in Drosophila

• Published in: FEBS letters 1998-10, Vol.437 (1), p.81-86
• Main Authors: Hassanzadeh Gh, Gholamreza, Devoogdt, Nick, Ghysen, Alain, De Baetselier, Patrick, Muyldermans, Serge, Dambly-Chaudière, Christine
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Animals, Genetically Modified; Antisense; CNS, central nervous system; DNA, Antisense; Drosophila; Drosophila - genetics; Drosophila Proteins; es organ, external sense organ; Gene Expression Regulation; Hot Temperature; Immunoglobulin Fragments; Intrabody; m-es organ, mono-innervated external sense organ; Mutation; Nerve Tissue Proteins - genetics; p-es organ, poly-innervated external sense organ; Paired Box Transcription Factors; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; Phenocopy; Phenotype; PNS, peripheral nervous system; Poxn; scFv, single-chain variable fragment; Transcription Factors; Transfection
• ISSN: 0014-5793; 1873-3468
• DOI: 10.1016/S0014-5793(98)01205-8

Intrabodies show great promise for controlling gene expression. As an initial attempt to evaluate the intrabody technology in Drosophila, the gene poxn was used as target. Transgenic flies harboring different anti-Poxn scFv genes integrated into various chromosomes were obtained. In one transformant, a phenocopy resembling the hypomorphic poxn − phenotype was produced in embryos and larvae following induction of expression of α-Poxn2 intrabody. The antisense approach was used as control. Parameters that can affect the success of intrabody technology are described.