Genetic manipulation of autophagy in the Drosophila ovary

Cold Spring Harb Protoc. 2014 Sep 2;2014(9):973-9. doi: 10.1101/pdb.prot080358.

Abstract

Flies with mutations in Atg7 or Atg8a are homozygous viable and develop to adulthood, whereas mutations in other autophagy genes, including Atg1, are homozygous lethal. Clonal analysis has been instrumental in examining the role and regulation of lethal Atg genes in many aspects of Drosophila development and survival. The generation of homozygous mutant clones in an otherwise heterozygous mutant background is possible in mitotically active tissues, and is highly beneficial in that the control cells and experimental cells are subjected to the same developmental and nutritional cues allowing for a side-by-side comparison. Several methods are now available to examine the contribution of lethal autophagy genes during Drosophila oogenesis. Here we describe how to generate a homozygous mutant germline using the FLP-DFS (dominant female sterile) technique, how to generate somatic clones, and how to induce targeted gene knockdown in the germline using RNAi.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amines
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Autophagy / genetics*
  • Autophagy-Related Protein 7
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Drosophila
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / physiology*
  • Genetic Techniques*
  • Heat Stroke
  • Luminescent Proteins / genetics
  • Luminescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Ovary / cytology*
  • RNA Interference / physiology
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Amines
  • Atg7 protein, Drosophila
  • Atg8a protein, Drosophila
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • GAL4 protein, Drosophila
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Red DND-99
  • Transcription Factors
  • ref(2)P protein, Drosophila
  • Autophagy-Related Protein 7