Wing defects in Drosophila xenicid mutant clones are caused by C-terminal deletion of additional sex combs (Asx).
BACKGROUND
The coordinated action of genes that control patterning, cell fate determination, cell size, and cell adhesion is required for proper wing formation in Drosophila. Defects in any of these basic processes can lead to wing aberrations, including blisters. The xenicid mutation was originally identified in a screen designed to uncover regulators of adhesion between wing surfaces [1].


RESULTS
Here, we demonstrate that expression of the betaPS integrin or the patterning protein Engrailed are not affected in developing wing imaginal discs in xenicid mutants. Instead, expression of the homeotic protein Ultrabithorax (Ubx) is strongly increased in xenicid mutant cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that upregulation of Ubx transforms cells from a wing blade fate to a haltere fate, and that the presence of haltere cells within the wing blade is the primary defect leading to the adult wing phenotypes observed.
Bischoff
Kara
K
Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America.
Ballew
Anna C
AC
Simon
Michael A
MA
O'Reilly
Alana M
AM
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D019070:Cell Lineage; D048429:Cell Size; D002999:Clone Cells; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016023:Integrins / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D021381:Protein Transport; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D017384:Sequence Deletion; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000473:pathology*
C111660:ASX protein, Drosophila; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C063459:En protein, Drosophila; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D016023:Integrins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C066177:Ubx protein, Drosophila