14. Antennapedia protein expresses in the thoracic segment of the fly and not in the head region. However, a dominant mutation of Antennapedia replaces antenna with leg-like structure. The following statements were made with reference to Antennapedia:
    A. In a dominant Antennapedia mutant, the Antennapedia gene is expressed in the head as
    well as in thorax.
    B. In the Antennapedia mutants, the Antennapedia gene is expressed in head region only and thus promotes leg-like structure in head socket
    C. In addition to promoting thoracic structures, Antennapedia protein binds to and represses the enhancer of homothorax and some other genes responsible for antenna specification.
    D. Antennapedia has no role in thoracic region specification and thus recessive Antennapedia
    mutants show no phenotypic effect.
    Which one of the following options represents correct statement(s)?
    (1) A only (2) A and C

(3) B and D                                                    (4) B only

Antennapedia (Antp) is a critical Hox gene in Drosophila that governs the development of thoracic segments, especially the formation of legs. Normally, Antp protein is expressed in thoracic segments but not in the head, ensuring that antennae are formed at the head and legs develop in the thorax.

In dominant Antennapedia mutants, the gene is ectopically expressed in the head region, causing a remarkable homeotic transformation where antennae are replaced by leg-like structures. This results from the misexpression of Antp protein beyond its usual thoracic domain.

Key points about Antennapedia’s function and mutant phenotypes include:

• In dominant mutants, Antp gene expression extends into the head, causing antenna-to-leg transformations.

• Antp protein not only promotes thoracic structures but also represses genes like homothorax involved in antenna specification.

• Loss-of-function (recessive) mutants lead to thoracic defects, indicating Antp’s essential role in thoracic identity.

Therefore, the correct statements about Antennapedia in the context of the options given are:

(2) A and C

Answer: (2) A and C