Wing vein formation in Drosophila melanogaster: hairless is involved in the cross-talk between Notch and EGF signaling pathways.
Wing vein development in Drosophila is controlled by different morphogenetic pathways, including Notch. Hairless (H) antagonizes Notch target gene activation by binding to the Notch signal transducer Suppressor of Hairless [Su(H)]. Accordingly, overexpression of H phenocopies reduction of Notch activity. Deletion of the Su(H)-binding domain in H-C2 results in loss of H activity. However, overexpression of H-C2 induces formation of ectopic veins. In a screen for genetic modifiers of this phenotype, we have identified several genes involved in Notch and epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling. Most notably veinlet, an activator of EGF signaling, acts downstream of H-C2. H-C2 positively regulates veinlet maybe through inhibition of inter-vein determinants in agreement with a model, whereby Notch and EGF signaling pathways cross-regulate vein pre-patterning.
Johannes
Bernd
B
Institut für Genetik (240), Universität Hohenheim, Garbenstrasse 30, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany.
Preiss
Anette
A
D000818:Animals; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009024:Morphogenesis; D010641:Phenotype; D051880:Receptors, Notch; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation; D014921:Wings, Animal
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C497759:N protein, Drosophila; D051880:Receptors, Notch; D014157:Transcription Factors; C076560:H protein, Drosophila; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor