Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Notch signalling is an evolutionary conserved process that influences cell differentiation, cell proliferation and cell death in a context dependent manner. Notch signalling is fine-tuned at multiple levels and mis-regulation of Notch has been implicated in a variety of human diseases ranging from neurological disorders to cancer. We have identified maheshvara (mahe), a novel gene in Drosophila melanogaster which encodes a putative DEAD box protein that is highly conserved across taxa and belongs to the largest group of RNA helicase. Dynamic pattern of mahe expression along with the maternal accumulation of its transcripts is seen during early stages of embryogenesis. In addition, a strong expression is also seen in the developing nervous system. Ectopic expression of mahe in a wide range of tissue during development results in a variety of defects, many of which resemble typical Notch loss-of-function phenotype. We have shown that ectopic expression of mahe in the wing imaginal disc leads to loss of Notch targets, Cut and Wingless. Interestingly, Notch protein levels are also lowered, whereas no obvious change is seen in the levels of Notch transcripts. In addition, mahe overexpression can significantly rescue ectopic Notch mediated proliferation of eye tissue. Further, we illustrate that mahe genetically interacts with Notch and deltex in transheterozygous combination. Co-expression of Dx and Mahe at D/V boundary results in wing nicking phenotype and a more pronounced loss of Notch target Cut. Taken together we report identification of a novel evolutionary conserved RNA helicase mahe, which plays a vital role in regulation of Notch signalling.

Biography

Mousumi Mutsuddi is currently a Faculty in the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Banaras Hindu University, India. She has received her PhD degree from the Cytogenetics Laboratory, Banaras Hindu University, India. She subsequently obtained her Research Trainings at University of Massachusetts, USA and Whitehead Institute of Biomedical Research in Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. She was a Research Scientist at Broad Institute (Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology), USA and has joined Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Banaras Hindu University in 2006. Her lab has identified novel genes in Drosophila which have important role to play in apoptosis and neuronal development. Her work has been accepted recently for publication in \\\”Genetics\\\” which is a premier journal publication by the Genetics Society of America. She was also a Visiting Scientist at MIT in 2008 and at National Eye Institute, NIH, Bethesda (2012-2013). She is on the Editorial Boards of Journal of Neuro-Infectious Disease, USA, Journal of Cell Science & Molecular, India and several other journals. She is also the Reviewing Board Member for journals like Neurogenetics, Biomed Central, Journal of Neurological disorders, Journal of Genetics, FEBS letter, PlosOne, etc.rnrn

Email: mousumi_mutsuddi@yahoo.com