Drosophila miniature and dusky encode ZP proteins required for cytoskeletal reorganisation during wing morphogenesis.
We have characterised the function of two Drosophila genes, miniature and dusky, that are required for the morphological reorganisation of the apical membrane during wing epidermis differentiation. These genes encode transmembrane proteins containing a ZP (zona pellucida) domain and are homologous to several vertebrate and invertebrate apical matrix components. miniature and dusky are only expressed in tissues secreting a cuticle, and the Min protein localises to the apical membrane during the early stages of cuticle formation. We propose that Min and Dusky form a novel subfamily within the ZP domain proteins and are specifically involved in the interactions between the apical membrane, the cytoskeleton and the forming cuticle.
Roch
Fernando
F
Laboratory for Development and Evolution, University Museum of Zoology, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK. roch@cict.fr
Alonso
Claudio R
CR
Akam
Michael
M
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence / Q000235:genetics; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004817:Epidermis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D008675:Metamorphosis, Biological / Q000235:genetics; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009154:Mutation / Q000502:physiology; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000235:genetics; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D019476:Insect Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C047663:cuticle proteins, insects; C465233:dy protein, Drosophila; C465234:m protein, Drosophila