Ecdysone and Hydroxyurea Induced Gene Regulation on Polytene Chromosome Puffing, Glue Protein Expression, and Pupation Site Preference in Drosophila melanogaster

ABSTRACT

Gene regulation plays a crucial role in coordinating developmental processes and behavioral responses in Drosophila melanogaster . This study investigates the impact of HU and Ecdysone induced modulation of gene expression on polytene chromosome puffing patterns, salivary gland glue protein synthesis, and pupation site preference. Larvae were exposed to Hydroxyurea and Ecdysone known to alter transcriptional activity, and subsequent changes in chromosomal puff sites were examined. Variations in glue protein expression were quantified, and alterations in pupation site preference were assessed. These findings suggest that chromosomal puffs (23B and 25C on 2L arm and 62E and 63E on 3L arm) and protein synthesis in Ecdysone treated larvae were increased whereas, in hydroxyurea treated larvae it is decreased. The above puffs are associated with glue protein synthesis and alteration in these puffs lead to variation in larval pupation site preference behavior.