We have identified the
cmp44E gene which encodes a putative multi-pass transmembrane protein that is conserved from yeast to humans. The expression of
cmp44E during embryogenesis is ubiquitous with notably higher levels in the CNS and brain. It is also expressed in the germline during the germarial stages as well as several later stages of oogenesis. Utilizing a P-element insertion at the 5'' end of
cmp44E we have isolated several deletions, created by imprecise excision events which eliminate most or all of its coding region. Analysis of these deficiencies has revealed that
cmp44E is an essential gene required for embryogenesis. Results obtained from germline clone analysis indicate that
cmp44E is not only required in the germline slem cells early in oogenesis, but is also required in other tissues probably due to it being required for cell viability. Finally, using germline transformation, we have identified a minimal genomic fragment capable of fully rescuing a null allele of
cmp44E.