Antibody-Mediated Protein Knockdown Reveals Distal-less Functions for Eyespots and Parafocal Elements in Butterfly Wing Color Pattern Development.

ABSTRACT: One of the important genes for eyespot development in butterfly wings is Distal-less. Its function has been evaluated via several methods, including CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. However, functional inhibition may be performed at the right time at the right place using a different method. Here, we used a novel protein delivery method for pupal wing tissues in vivo to inactivate a target protein, Distal-less, with a polyclonal anti-Distal-less antibody using the blue pansy butterfly Junonia orithya. We first demonstrated that various antibodies including the anti-Distal-less antibody were delivered to wing epithelial cells in vivo in this species. Treatment with the anti-Distal-less antibody reduced eyespot size, confirming the positive role of Distal-less in eyespot development

SUBMITTER: Nakazato Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11394314 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature