The AP-2 transcription factor is required for joint formation and cell survival in Drosophila leg development.
Flies mutant for the Drosophila homologue of the mammalian transcription factor AP-2 show a severe reduction in leg length and fail to develop joint structures. Presumptive joint cells express dAP-2 in response to Notch signaling. dAP-2 is required for joint cell differentiation and can induce formation of supernumerary joints when misexpressed. Although dAP-2 is expressed only in presumptive joint cells, its activity is required to support cell survival in the entire leg segment. Taken together, our data indicate that dAP-2 is an important mediator of Notch activity in leg development.
Kerber
B
B
European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstr.1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany.
Monge
I
I
Mueller
M
M
Mitchell
P J
PJ
Cohen
S M
SM
D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004330:Drosophila / Q000254:growth & development*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005121:Extremities / Q000254:growth & development*; D015870:Gene Expression; D007596:Joints / Q000254:growth & development*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051880:Receptors, Notch; D050656:Transcription Factor AP-2; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C497759:N protein, Drosophila; D051880:Receptors, Notch; C493674:TfAP-2 protein, Drosophila; D050656:Transcription Factor AP-2; D014157:Transcription Factors