EGF receptor signaling induces pointed P1 transcription and inactivates Yan protein in the Drosophila embryonic ventral ectoderm.
The induction of different cell fates along the dorsoventral axis of the Drosophila embryo requires a graded activity of the EGF receptor tyrosine kinase (DER). Here we have identified primary and secondary target genes of DER, which mediate the determination of discrete ventral cell fates. High levels of DER activation in the ventralmost cells trigger expression of the transcription factors encoded by ventral nervous system defective (vnd) and pointed P1 (pntPl). Concomitant with the induction of pntP1, high levels of DER activity lead to inactivation of the Yan protein, a transcriptional repressor of Pointed-target genes. These two antagonizing transcription factors subsequently control the expression of secondary target genes such as otd, argos and tartan. The simultaneous effects of the DER pathway on pntP1 induction and Yan inactivation may contribute to the definition of the border of the ventralmost cell fates.
Gabay
L
L
Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
Scholz
H
H
Golembo
M
M
Klaes
A
A
Shilo
B Z
BZ
Klämbt
C
C
D000818:Animals; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000196:embryology*; D004475:Ectoderm / Q000502:physiology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000502:physiology*; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000502:physiology*; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
C076188:AOP protein, Drosophila; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005136:Eye Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C083884:pnt protein, Drosophila; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases