Genetic analysis of punt, a type II Dpp receptor that functions throughout the Drosophila melanogaster life cycle.
TGF-beta (transforming growth factor-beta-) mediated signal transduction affects growth and patterning in a variety of organisms. Here we report a genetic characterization of the Drosophila punt gene that encodes a type II serine/threonine kinase TGF-beta/Dpp (Decapentaplegic) receptor. Although the punt gene was originally identified based on its requirement for embryonic dorsal closure, we have documented multiple periods of punt activity throughout the Drosophila life cycle. We demonstrate that potentially related embryonic punt phenotypes, defects in dorsoventral patterning and dorsal closure, correspond to distinct maternal and zygotic requirements for punt. In addition, we document postembryonic requirements for punt activity. The tight correspondence between both embryonic and postembryonic loss-of-function punt and dpp phenotypes implicates a role for Punt in mediating virtually all Dpp signaling events in Drosophila. Finally, our comparison of punt homoallelic and heteroallelic phenotypes provides direct evidence for interallelic complementation. Taken together, these results suggest that the Punt protein functions as a dimer or higher order multimer throughout the Drosophila life cycle.
Simin
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Department of Human Genetics, Eccles Institute of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112, USA.
Bates
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Horner
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Letsou
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D029404:Activin Receptors; D000818:Animals; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements / Q000235:genetics; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D017344:Genes, Insect / Q000235:genetics; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007814:Larva / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D011487:Protein Conformation; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology*; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D013696:Temperature; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000254:growth & development
D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D019476:Insect Proteins; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; C064196:dpp protein, Drosophila; D029404:Activin Receptors