ANALYZING EFFECTS OF OSIRIS GENE ON DROSOPHILA DEVELOPING TRACHEAL TUBE FORMATION

This project focuses on specific genes that help with transcription and regulation of transcription and translation of proteins involved in the development of the tracheal tubes and tube morphogenesis. Our research performs tests on Drosophila melanogaster because they are considered a model organism that will develop similar to humans in regard to tubular organs. The tracheal system delivers oxygen to all of the cells in the body, and Drosophila melanogaster’s are excellent model organisms to study this tube development process. Previous research has revealed the mechanisms of the early steps of tube formation, including the specification of branch identities and the migration of tracheal cells in stereotypical directions to form distinct tubes. After formation of a continuous tube, the tube expands in both diameter and length to form a liquid-filled trachea lumen. Thereafter, luminal material needs to be cleared and followed by air filling. The mechanisms of tube morphogenesis in this organism are highly conserved, meaning they are consistent steps in order to produce to final fully mature trachea. It also represents a very simple structure in comparison to other organisms. It can easily be studied for its phenotypic effects because of straightforward and easy to understand anatomy. We are focusing on the phenotypical tube formation differences between a negative control group and combination knockout groups of specific genes within the Osiris gene family, a family of genes seen within the Drosophila and other insects. The basis behind the research is to look at tube morphogenesis and apical clearing, which is the development of epithelial tubes in order to allow for the tracheal system to form. These tubes can form in many different ways, but one of the things they have in common is how the apical epithelial surface always lines the lumen. Multiple things play a role in tube morphogenesis including vesicle fusion, secretion, and apical and luminal clearing to allow for air filling in the tubes. Our prediction for the role of the Osiris gene family genes is that they play an important role in the development of the tracheal system and also tube morphogenesis as the larvae develops.