Mothers against dpp encodes a conserved cytoplasmic protein required in DPP/TGF-β responsive cells

• DOI: 10.1242/dev.122.7.2099
• Publication Date: 2021-04-26T02:41:02Z
• Authors: Stuart J. Newfeld; Elena H. Chartoff; Jonathan M. Graff; Douglas A. Melton; William M. Gelbart
• Keywords: Decapentaplegic; Lateral plate mesoderm; Heterologous

ABSTRACT The proteins necessary for signal transduction in cells responding to ligands of the TGF-β family are largely unknown. We have previously identified Mad (Mothers against dpp), a gene that interacts with member encoded by decapentaplegic (dpp) Drosophila. Assay Mad’s role DPP-dependent events embryonic midgut development demonstrates is required any response visceral mesoderm or endoderm DPP signals from mesoderm. Replacement normal promoter heterologous (hsp70) fails restore responses mutant midguts. Experiments utilizing transgenes regulated tissue-specific promoters show MAD specifically DPP. Immunohistochemical studies localize cytoplasm all tissues examined. Xenopus embryos demonstrate Drosophila can function signaling pathway BMP-4, vertebrate homolog dpp. Based on these results, we propose highly conserved and essential element pathway.