Notch signaling does not regulate segmentation in the honeybee, Apis mellifera.
Notch signaling has been implicated in the segmentation of vertebrates but is not involved in segmentation in Drosophila. Recent evidence, however, implies that Notch signaling regulates segmentation in some Arthropods, including an insect, and that Notch signaling regulated segmentation in the common ancestor of Vertebrates and Arthropods. Notch signaling regulates clock-like formation of segments in both groups, a phenomenon not seen in Drosophila. We present evidence that Notch signaling components are expressed in a pattern implying a role in segmentation in honeybees, where the expression of genes involved in segmentation are modulated in a temporal way. Despite this, pharmacological investigation and RNA interference experiments indicate that Notch signaling does not regulate segmentation in honeybees, but instead regulates patterning within segments after segmentation itself has occurred. Notch signaling thus does not regulate segmentation in holometabolous insects, even when segments appear to form in anterior-posterior sequence.
Laboratory for Evolution and Development, Biochemistry Department, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Megan J
MJ
Wilson
Benjamin H
BH
McKelvey
Susan
S
van der Heide
Peter K
PK
Dearden
D053829:Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D019521:Body Patterning; D004330:Drosophila / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007313:Insecta / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D034622:RNA Interference; D051880:Receptors, Notch / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D019476:Insect Proteins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051880:Receptors, Notch; C064045:delta protein; D053829:Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases