Engrailed and hedgehog make the range of Wingless asymmetric in Drosophila embryos.
In many instances, remote signaling involves the transport of secreted molecules. Here, we examine the spread of Wingless within the embryonic epidermis of Drosophila. Using two assays for Wingless activity (specification of naked cuticle and repression of rhomboid transcription), we found that Wingless acts at a different range in the anterior and posterior directions. We show that this asymmetry follows in part from differential distribution of the Wingless protein. Transport or stability is reduced within engrailed-expressing cells, and farther posteriorward Wingless movement is blocked at the presumptive segment boundary and perhaps beyond. We demonstrate the role of hedgehog in the formation of this barrier.
Sanson
B
B
Department of Genetics, Cambridge University, United Kingdom.
Alexandre
C
C
Fascetti
N
N
Vincent
J P
JP
D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D004817:Epidermis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007814:Larva / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000502:physiology; D051155:Wnt1 Protein
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D019476:Insect Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; C081481:Rho protein, Drosophila; C472498:Stet protein, Drosophila; D014157:Transcription Factors; D051155:Wnt1 Protein; C106185:engrailed homeobox proteins; C074622:wg protein, Drosophila; C077245:hh protein, Drosophila