Activation of the innate immunity in Drosophila by endogenous chromosomal DNA that escaped apoptotic degradation.

Apoptotic cell death is accompanied by degradation of chromosomal DNA. Here, we established in Drosophila a null mutation in the gene for inhibitor of caspase-activated DNase (ICAD) by P-element insertion. We also identified a loss-of-function mutant in Drosophila for DNase II-like acid DNase.

Cloning of a novel homeobox (NK-7.1) containing gene, DmHboxNK-7.1, from Drosophila melanogaster.

We have cloned a novel Drosophila melanogaster homeobox (Hbox) containing gene, NK-7.1 (Dm.HboxNK-7.

Identification and developmental expression of inhibitor of caspase-activated DNase (ICAD) in Drosophila melanogaster.

DNA fragmentation, a hallmark of apoptosis, is regulated by a specific nuclease called caspase-activated DNase (CAD) and its inhibitor (ICAD). When cell lysates from Drosophila S2 cells were chemically denatured and the denatured proteins were removed after dialysis, the supernatant inhibited Drosophila CAD (dCAD). To identify the inhibitor, we tested recombinant DREP-1, which was previously identified using the Drosophila EST data base and found it also inhibited dCAD DNase.

Differential expression of neuroD in primary cultures of cerebral cortical neurons.

We have investigated the expression patterns of a basic helix-loop-helix regulatory gene, neuroD, in primary cultures of murine cerebral cortical neurons. The differentiation states of neurons in primary cultures were determined by the sensitivity of neurons to glutamate toxicity and the expression of specific proteins such as the phosphorylated form of a 200-kDa neurofilament, HPC-1/syntaxin 1A, and cell adhesion molecule L1. The expression of neuroD was determined by RT-PCR analysis and in situ hybridization.