A pair-rule gene in Drosophila called runt controls some of sex and nervous system formation. In the mouse, runt controls blood cell formation, osteogenesis, and genital structures. In humans, the analog of runt, when mutated, causes children to lack collar bones, and the opening at the top of the skull fails to close. What kind of experiment could tell you whether these genes are conserved in function?
A)sequencing of the runt genes from each of the three species of organisms
B)in vivo experiment that inserts a copy of the mouse runt gene into a segmented fly embryo
C)in vitro experiment that inserts a copy of the mouse runt gene into cells from an unsegmented Drosophila embryo
D)sequencing the proteins encoded for by each of the species' runt genes
E)use of immunological methods to identify the target cells of the species' runt transcription factors

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An in vitro experiment that inserts a copy of the mouse runt gene into cells from an unsegmented Drosophila embryo would be the best choice as it would allow for direct testing of the function of the mouse runt gene in a Drosophila context. This would help to determine if the gene is conserved in function across species. Sequencing of the genes or proteins would only provide information about the similarity of the genes or proteins but would not determine their function. In vivo experiments with chimeric embryos could have ethical concerns and may not always successfully produce viable organisms. Immunological methods would provide information about the target cells of the gene, but would not determine its function.

A Pair-Rule Gene in Drosophila Called Runt Controls Some of Sex