Molecular Model Systems in the Lepidoptera

About this book

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.

Contents

List of contributors; Preface; 1. A brief history of Lepidoptera as model systems Judith H. Willis, Adam S. Wilkins and Marian R. Goldsmith; 2. Genetics of the silkworm: revisiting an ancient model system Marian R. Goldsmith; 3. Mobile elements of lepidopteran genomes Thomas H. Eickbush; 4. Lepidopteran phylogeny and applications to comparative studies of development Jerome C. Regier, Timothy Friedlander, Robert F. Leclerc, Charles Mitter and Brian M. Wiegmann; 5. A summary of lepidopteran embryogenesis and experimental embryology Lisa M. Nagy; 6. Roles of homeotic genes in the Bombyx body plan Kohji Ueno, Toshifumi Nagata and Yoshiaki Suzuki; 7. Chorion genes: an overview of their structure, function, and transcriptional regulation Fotis C. Kafatos, George Tzertzinis, Nikolaus A. Spoerel and Hanh T. Nguyen; 8. Chorion genes: molecular models of evolution Thomas H. Eickbush and John A. Izzo; 9. Regulation of the silk protein genes and the homeobox genes in silk gland development Chi-chung Hui and Yoshiaki Suzuki; 10. Control of transcription by Bombyx mori RNA polymerase III Karen U. Sprague; 11. Hormonal regulation of gene expression during lepidopteran development Lynn M. Riddiford; 12. Lepidoptera as model systems for studies of hormone action on the central nervous system James W. Truman; 13. Molecular genetics of moth olfaction: a model for cellular identity and temporal assembly of the nervous system Richard G. Vogt; 14. Molecular biology of the immune response Amy B. Mulnix and Peter E. Dunn; 15. Engineered baculoviruses: molecular tools for lepidopteran developmental biology and physiology and potential agents for insect pest control Kostas Iatrou; 16. Epilogue: Lepidopterans as model systems - questions and prospects Adam S. Wilkins and Marian R. Goldsmith; References; Index.

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