title: Modulation of Decapentaplegic gradient during haltere specification in Drosophila.
abstract: Suppression of wing fate and specification of haltere fate in Drosophila by Ultrabithorax is a classical example of Hox regulation of serial homology. However, the mechanism of Ultrabithorax function in specifying haltere size and shape is not well understood. Here we show that Decapentaplegic signaling, which controls wing growth and shape, is a target of Ultrabithorax function during haltere specification. The Decapentaplegic signaling is down-regulated in haltere discs due to a combination of reduced levels of the Dpp, its trapping at the A/P boundary by increased levels of its receptor Thick-vein and its inability to diffuse in the absence of Dally. Results presented here suggest a complex mechanism adopted by Ultrabithorax to modulate Decapentaplegic signaling. We discuss how this complexity may regulate the final form of the adult haltere in the fly, without compromising features such as cell survival, which is also dependent on Decapentaplegic signaling.
authors.affiliation: Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad, India. kalmak.99@gmail.com
authors.forename: Kalpana
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Makhijani
authors.forename: Chilukuri
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kalyani
authors.forename: Tamarisa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Srividya
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Shashidhara
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015536:Down-Regulation; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009929:Organ Size; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000196:embryology*
chemical_list: D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011509:Proteoglycans; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D014157:Transcription Factors; C066177:Ubx protein, Drosophila; C098128:dally protein, Drosophila; C064196:dpp protein, Drosophila; C090169:tkv protein, Drosophila; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases