A gradient of bicoid protein in Drosophila embryos

doi:10.1016/0092-8674(88)90182-1

Cell

Volume 54, Issue 1, 1 July 1988, Pages 83-93

https://doi.org/10.1016/0092-8674(88)90182-1 Get rights and content

Abstract

The maternal gene bicoid (bcd) organizes anterior development in Drosophila. Its mRNA is localized at the anterior tip of the oocyte and early embryo. Antibodies raised against bcd fusion proteins recognize a 55–57 kd doublet band in Western blots of extracts of 0–4 hr old embryos. This protein is absent or reduced in embryonic extracts of nine of the 11 bcd alleles. The protein is concentrated in the nuclei of cleavage stage embryos. It cannot be detected in oocytes, indicating temporal control of bcd mRNA translation. The bcd protein is distributed in an exponential concentration gradient with a maximum at the anterior tip, reaching background levels in the posterior third of the embryo. The gradient is probably generated by diffusion from the local mRNA source and dispersed degradation.

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Cell

ArticleA gradient of bicoid protein in Drosophila embryos

Abstract

Cell

Cell

Cell

Cell

Cell

Dev. Biol.

J. Theor. Biol.

J. Theor. Biol.

Dev. Biol.

Cell

Cell

Adv. Insect Physiol.

J. Insect Physiol.

Cell

J. Theor. Biol.

The role of localization of bicoid RNA in organizing the anterior pattern of the Drosophila embryo

EMBO J.

The Embryonic Development of Drosophila melanogaster

Individuality in Organisms

Diffusion in embryogenesis

Nature

Potential morphogénétique, regulation et “axial gradients” de Child

Bull. Acad. Roy. Méd. Belg.

The Drosophila developmental gene, engrailed, encodes a sequence-specific DNA binding activity

Nature

The bicoid protein determines position in the Drosophila embryo in a concentration-dependent manner

Cell

Production of monoclonal antibodies: strategy and tactics

J. Immunol. Meth.

Studies of nuclear and cytoplasmic behaviour during the five mitotic cycles that precede gastrulation in Drosophila embryogenesis

J. Cell Sci.

Maternale Gene and die Anlage des anteroposterioren Musters in Drosophila Embryonen

Organization of anterior pattern in the Drosophila embryo by the maternal gene bicoid

Nature

Maternal genes required for the anterior localization of bicoid activity in the embryo of Drosophila

Genes Dev.

Manipulating the anterior posterior pattern of the Drosophila embryo

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A theory of biological pattern formation

Kybernetik

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Biol. Rev.

Article
A gradient of bicoid protein in Drosophila embryos