Drosophila E2F1 has context-specific pro- and antiapoptotic properties during development.
E2F transcription factors are generally believed to be positive regulators of apoptosis. In this study, we show that dE2F1 and dDP are important for the normal pattern of DNA damage-induced apoptosis in Drosophila wing discs. Unexpectedly, the role that E2F plays varies depending on the position of the cells within the disc. In irradiated wild-type discs, intervein cells show a high level of DNA damage-induced apoptosis, while cells within the D/V boundary are protected. In irradiated discs lacking E2F regulation, intervein cells are largely protected, but apoptotic cells are found at the D/V boundary. The protective effect of E2F at the D/V boundary is due to a spatially restricted role in the repression of hid. These loss-of-function experiments demonstrate that E2F cannot be classified simply as a pro- or antiapoptotic factor. Instead, the overall role of E2F in the damage response varies greatly and depends on the cellular context.
Moon
Nam-Sung
NS
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Research Center, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, USA.
Frolov
Maxim V
MV
Kwon
Eun-Jeong
EJ
Di Stefano
Luisa
L
Dimova
Dessislava K
DK
Morris
Erick J
EJ
Taylor-Harding
Barbie
B
White
Kristin
K
Dyson
Nicholas J
NJ
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D004249:DNA Damage; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004628:Embryonic Structures / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D009154:Mutation; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D034622:RNA Interference
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C108880:HID protein, Drosophila; D009479:Neuropeptides