You have discovered a new Xenopus gene that codes for a RNAbinding protein. You are not sure what its function is but you areinterested in finding out as much as you can about the protein'srole in development of the embryo (from oocyte to tailbud stage) sothat you can publish your results. You have tentatively called theprotein Xp65 (Xenopus protein 65 kDa).
A) How would you go about determining where and when the gene isexpressed in the embryo? Make sure that you think about all theimportant information that you would want to know to understandwhen and where this gene product might be functioning. B) Once youhave established the expression profile, what might you want to doto help you understand how the gene effects development? Explainwhat experiments you might run, and why.
C) The protein turns out to have a role in transcriptionalactivation during gastrulation in addition to its RNA bindingactivities. What might you do to determine the targets of thisprotein (what it turns on)?
D) You find that the gene has an ortholog in Drosophila. Whatmight you want to do in Drosophila that you cannot do in Xenopus?Explain why this might work in Drosophila but not Xenopus.
You have discovered a new Xenopus gene that codes for a RNAbinding protein. You are not sure what its function is but you areinterested in finding out as much as you can about the protein'srole in development of the embryo (from oocyte to tailbud stage) sothat you can publish your results. You have tentatively called theprotein Xp65 (Xenopus protein 65 kDa).
A) How would you go about determining where and when the gene isexpressed in the embryo? Make sure that you think about all theimportant information that you would want to know to understandwhen and where this gene product might be functioning. B) Once youhave established the expression profile, what might you want to doto help you understand how the gene effects development? Explainwhat experiments you might run, and why.
C) The protein turns out to have a role in transcriptionalactivation during gastrulation in addition to its RNA bindingactivities. What might you do to determine the targets of thisprotein (what it turns on)?
D) You find that the gene has an ortholog in Drosophila. Whatmight you want to do in Drosophila that you cannot do in Xenopus?Explain why this might work in Drosophila but not Xenopus.
