Molecular Model Systems in the Lepidoptera

by Edited by Marian R. Goldsmith , Adam S. Wilkins

• ISBN13: 9780521028271
• ISBN10: 0521028272
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-11-02
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

This book presents a diverse collection of chapters on basic research at the molecular level using Lepidoptera as model systems. This volume, however, is more than just a compendium of information about insect systems in general, or the Lepidoptera in particular. Each chapter is a self-contained treatment of a broad subject area, providing sufficient background information to give readers a sense of the guiding principles and central questions associated with each topic, in addition to major methodologies and findings. Comparisons with other major model systems are emphasized, with special attention given to the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Topics include: genetics, mobile elements, embryogenesis, silk gland and chorion gene regulation, hormone action, neurobiology, the immune response and engineered baculoviruses. Molecular and developmental biologists at graduate and researcher levels will find this book of great interest.

Table of Contents

List of contributors	ix
Preface	xi
A brief history of Lepidoptera as model systems	1	(20)
Judith H. Willis
Adam S. Wilkins
Marian R. Goldsmith
Genetics of the silkworm: revisiting an ancient model system	21	(56)
Marian R. Goldsmith
Mobile elements of lepidopteran genomes	77	(30)
Thomas H. Eickbush
Lepidopteran phylogeny and applications to comparative studies of development	107	(32)
Jerome C. Regier
Timothy Friedlander
Robert F. Leclerc
Charles Mitter
Brian M. Wiegmann
A summary of lepidopteran embryogenesis and experimental embryology	139	(26)
Lisa M. Nagy
Roles of homeotic genes in the Bombyx body plan	165	(16)
Kohji Ueno
Toshifumi Nagata
Yoshiaki Suzuki
Chorion genes: an overview of their structure, function, and transcriptional regulation	181	(36)
Fotis C. Kafatos
George Tzertzinis
Nikolaus A. Spoerel
Hanh T. Nguyen
Chorion genes: molecular models of evolution	217	(32)
Thomas H. Eickbush
John A. Izzo
Regulation of the silk protein genes and the homeobox genes in silk gland development	249	(24)
Chi-chung Hui
Yoshiaki Suzuki
Control of transcription of Bombyx mori RNA polymerase III	273	(20)
Karen U. Sprague
Hormonal regulation of gene expression during lepidopteran development	293	(30)
Lynn M. Riddiford
Lepidoptera as model systems for studies of hormone action on the central nervous system	323	(18)
James W. Truman
Molecular genetics of moth olfaction: a model for cellular identity and temporal assembly of the nervous system	341	(28)
Richard G. Vogt
Molecular biology of the immune response	369	(28)
Amy B. Mulnix
Peter E. Dunn
Engineered baculoviruses: molecular tools for lepidopteran developmental biology and physiology and potential agents for insect pest control	397	(30)
Kostas Iatrou
Epilogue: Lepidopterans as model systems -- questions and prospects	427	(8)
Adam S. Wilkins
Marian R. Goldsmith
References	435	(96)
Index	531