Problem:

The Drosophila Mnx protein is expressed in the proneural clusters. Experiments indicate that Mnx function is necessary for the activation of the Notch receptor by the Delta ligand.

Required:

Question 1: What neuronal phenotype do you predict would arise from loss of function mutations in the Mnx gene? Explain your reasoning.

Question 2: How might you isolate a mouse homologue of Mnx?

Question 3: How would you determine if the mouse Mnx gene shares a similar role in mouse development?

Explain all the answers in detail.