Drosophila Eggshell Production: Identification of New Genes and Coordination by Pxt

Drosophila ovarian follicles complete development using a spatially and temporally controlled maturation process in which they resume meiosis and secrete a multi-layered, protective eggshell before undergoing arrest and/or ovulation. Microarray analysis revealed more than 150 genes that are expressed in a stage-specific manner during the last 24 hours of follicle development. These include all 30 previously known eggshell genes, as well as 19 new candidate chorion genes and 100 other genes likely to participate in maturation. Mutations in pxt, encoding a putative Drosophila cyclooxygenase, cause many transcripts to begin expression prematurely, and are associated with eggshell defects. Somatic activity of Pxt is required, as RNAi knockdown of pxt in the follicle cells recapitulates both the temporal expression and eggshell defects. One of the temporally regulated genes, cyp18a1, which encodes a cytochromome P450 protein mediating ecdysone turnover, is downregulated in pxt mutant follicles, and cyp18a1 mutation itself alters eggshell gene expression. These studies further define the molecular program of Drosophila follicle maturation and support the idea that it is coordinated by lipid and steroid hormonal signals

Defect states in Lu3GaxAl5-xO12 crystals and powders

We study defect states in undoped and Eu3+-doped Lu3GaxAl5-xO12 (x = 0-5) garnet crystals by wavelength resolved thermally stimulated luminescence above room temperature. Eu3+ ions act not only as recombination centres but also as high temperature traps, as testified by the presence of a TSL peak at 450 degrees C correlated with Eu3+-doping. With increasing gallium content all glow peaks are shifted to lower temperatures. This trend is confirmed also for powder samples prepared by sol-gel technique. The observed low temperature shift of the glow peaks can be considered as a consequence of the band gap reduction following the increase of Ga3+ concentration. The comparison with the glow curve of a Ce3+-doped crystal is also shown. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved