Vein is a novel component in the Drosophila epidermal growth factor receptor pathway with similarity to the neuregulins.
The activation signal from tyrosine kinase receptors, such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), is relayed via a highly conserved intracellular pathway involving Ras, Raf, and MAPK. In Drosophila, the EGFR and components of the intracellular pathway are broadly expressed, yet receptor activation evokes tissue-specific cell responses. Extracellular events that lead to receptor activation are one mechanism by which signaling is modulated. Here we show molecular and genetic evidence that Drosophila vein (vn) encodes a candidate EGFR ligand and that vn expression is spatially restricted. Consequently, vn may promote tissue-specific receptor activation. Unlike two other ligands, Gurken (Grk) and Spitz (Spi), which are transforming growth factor alpha-like proteins, Vn has both an immunoglobulin-like and an EGF-like domain. This combination of domains mirrors those in the vertebrate neuregulins that bind EGFR relatives.
Schnepp
B
B
Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA.
Grumbling
G
G
Donaldson
T
T
Simcox
A
A
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004330:Drosophila / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000502:physiology; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005804:Genes, Lethal; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D007814:Larva / Q000235:genetics; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D020880:Neuregulins; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D014680:Veins / Q000254:growth & development; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000098:blood supply / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D019476:Insect Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D020880:Neuregulins; C076026:spi protein, Drosophila; C102104:vn protein, Drosophila; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases