The Q-System: A Versatile Expression System for Drosophila

Methods Mol Biol. 2016:1478:53-78. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6371-3_3.

Abstract

Binary expression systems are flexible and versatile genetic tools in Drosophila. The Q-system is a recently developed repressible binary expression system that offers new possibilities for transgene expression and genetic manipulations. In this review chapter, we focus on current state-of-the-art Q-system tools and reagents. We also discuss in vivo applications of the Q-system, together with GAL4/UAS and LexA/LexAop systems, for simultaneous expression of multiple effectors, intersectional labeling, and clonal analysis.

Keywords: Binary expression system; Chimeric transactivators; GAL4QF; Intersectional expression; LexAQF; MARCM; Mitotic recombination; Mosaic analysis; Neurospora crassa; Q-system; QF; QF2; QF2w; QS; QUAS; Quinic acid.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Drosophila Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics*
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Genetic Techniques
  • Genetic Vectors / chemistry
  • Genetic Vectors / metabolism*
  • Neurospora crassa / genetics*
  • Neurospora crassa / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism
  • Serine Endopeptidases / genetics
  • Serine Endopeptidases / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcription Factors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Transgenes*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • GAL4 protein, Drosophila
  • GAL80 protein, S cerevisiae
  • LexA protein, Bacteria
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Serine Endopeptidases