Spalt modifies EGFR-mediated induction of chordotonal precursors in the embryonic PNS of Drosophila promoting the development of oenocytes.
Genes of the spalt family encode nuclear zinc finger proteins. In Drosophila melanogaster, they are necessary for the establishment of head/trunk identity, correct tracheal migration and patterning of the wing imaginal disc. Spalt proteins display a predominant pattern of expression in the nervous system, not only in Drosophila but also in species of fish, mouse, frog and human, suggesting an evolutionarily conserved role for these proteins in nervous system development. Here we show that Spalt works as a cell fate switch between two EGFR-induced cell types, the oenocytes and the precursors of the pentascolopodial organ in the embryonic peripheral nervous system. We show that removal of spalt increases the number of scolopodia, as a result of extra secondary recruitment of precursor cells at the expense of the oenocytes. In addition, the absence of spalt causes defects in the normal migration of the pentascolopodial organ. The dual function of spalt in the development of this organ, recruitment of precursors and migration, is reminiscent of its role in tracheal formation and of the role of a spalt homologue, sem-4, in the Caenorhabditis elegans nervous system.
Rusten
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European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstrasse, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany.
Cantera
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Urban
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Technau
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Kafatos
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Barrio
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D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning; D019070:Cell Lineage; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004627:Embryonic Induction; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016335:Zinc Fingers / Q000235:genetics
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D019476:Insect Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C085793:salm protein, Drosophila; D066246:ErbB Receptors