p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) has been extensively studied as a stress-responsive kinase, but its role in development remains unknown. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, two genes, D-p38a and D-p38b. To elucidate the developmental function of p38's, we used various genetic pharmacological manipulations to interfere with their functions: expression dominant-negative form D-p38b, antisense D-p38b RNA, reduction D-p38 gene dosage, treatment inhibitor SB203580. Expression wing...

In Drosophila , the Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) homolog Basket (Bsk) is required for epidermal closure. Mutants Src42A a c- src protooncogene homolog, are described. functions in closure during both embryogenesis and metamorphosis. The severity of defect mutant depended on amount Bsk activity, activity Src42A. Thus, activation pathway downstream This work confirms mammalian studies that demonstrated physiological link between Src JNK.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is a conserved eukaryotic signaling factor that mediates various signals, cumulating in the activation of transcription factors. Extracellular signal-regulated (ERK), MAPK, activated through phosphorylation by MAPK/ERK (MEK). To elucidate extent involvement ERK aspects animal development, we searched for Drosophila mutant which responds to elevated MEK activity and herein identified lace mutant. Mutants with mild alleles grow become adults multiple...

Intestinal stem cells (ISCs) are required for maintenance of the proper cell composition in adult intestine. To ensure permanent recruitment newly differentiated cells, ISC undergoes asymmetric division that generates an itself and a progenitor cell. In Drosophila midgut, fate absorptive is determined by Notch (N) signal receive ligand Delta (Dl) produced ISCs. Although most ISCs distantly located, they should retain their attachment when N activated because Dl-N interaction requires...

Prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) is a brain neurosecretory protein that controls insect development. PTTH of the silkmoth Bombyx mori homodimeric protein, subunit which consists 109 amino acids. Clear‐cut sequence similarity to any other proteins has not been observed. By disulfide‐bond pattern analysis and modeling structure based on known three‐dimensional (3D) structures growth factor family with cystine‐knot motif, we propose protomer adopts fold unique structural superfamily factors,...

The Drosophila male accessory gland has functions similar to those of the mammalian prostate and seminal vesicle, secretes proteins into fluid. Each two lobes is composed types binucleate cell: about 1,000 main cells 40 secondary cells. A well-known protein, sex peptide, secreted from induces female postmating response increase progeny production, whereas little known physiological significance homeodomain transcriptional repressor Defective proventriculus (Dve) strongly expressed in adult...

In standard cell division, the cells undergo karyokinesis and then cytokinesis. Some cells, however, such as cardiomyocytes hepatocytes, can produce binucleate by going through mitosis without This cytokinesis skipping is thought to be due inhibition of machinery central spindle or contractile ring, but mechanisms regulating it are unclear. We investigated them characterizing binucleation event during development Drosophila male accessory gland, in which all binucleate. The gland arrested...

Proper control of adult stem cells including their proliferation and differentiation is crucial in maintaining homeostasis well-organized tissues/organs throughout an organism's life. The Drosophila midgut has intestinal (ISCs), which have been exploited as a simple model system to investigate mechanisms controlling tissue homeostasis. Here, we found that viable mutant βν integrin (βint-ν), encoding one two β subunits, showed short abnormal multilayered epithelia accompanied by increase ISC...

Enteroendocrine cells (EEs) are evolutionarily conserved gastrointestinal secretory that show scattered distribution in the intestinal epithelium. These classified into several subtypes based on hormones they produce both mammals and insects. In fruit fly Drosophila, it has been suggested nearly equal numbers of two EEs (Allatostatin A: AstA Diuretic hormone 31 : Dh31) alternately produced from stem posterior midgut. However, we found these not always present this manner, but rather...

We cloned and characterized two allelic variants of the gene for Bombyx mori prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH), a homodimeric 30‐kDa brain secretory protein. These PTTH genes contain five exons that encode precursor protein consisting 224 amino acid residues whose C ‐terminal 109 represent expression is but at very low level occurs in gut. One day 0 fifth larval instar contained 2.4–2.8 pg mRNA, this amount did not change markedly during larval‐pupal development.

Growth, patterning, and apoptosis are mutually interactive during development. For example, cells that select an abnormal fate in a developing field frequently removed by apoptosis. An important issue this process needs to be resolved is the mechanism used discern their correct from fate. In order examine issue, we developed animal model expresses dioxin receptor homolog Spineless (Ss) ectopically Drosophila wing. The presence of mosaic clones expressing ss results local transformation organ...

The genetically amenable organism Drosophila melanogaster has been estimated to have 14,076 protein coding genes in the genome, according flybase release note R5.13 (http://flybase.bio.indiana.edu/static_pages/docs/release_notes.html). Recent application of RNA interference (RNAi) study developmental biology enabled us carry out a systematic investigation affecting various specific phenotypes. In order search for supporting cell survival, we conducted an immunohistochemical examination which...

The adult male accessory gland in insects is an internal reproductive organ analogous to the mammalian prostate, and secretes various components seminal fluid. Products of fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster are known control behaviors mated females, such as food uptake, oviposition rate, rejection re-mating with other males, all which increase capacity. Production larger amounts products thus thought result higher success. epithelium lobe composed a unique population binucleate cells. We...

Eight alleles of Dsor1 encoding a Drosophila homologue mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase were obtained as dominant suppressors the MAP D-raf. These themselves showed no obvious phenotypic consequences nor any effect on viability flies, although they highly sensitive to upstream signals and strongly interacted with gain-of-function mutations factors. They suppressed for receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs); torso (tor), sevenless (sev) lesser extent EGF (DER). Furthermore, significant...

A Drosophila gene, Dwhn ( whn ‐ like ), encoding a putative transcriptional regulator with DNA binding domain similar to that of mouse Winged‐helix nude (Whn) was cloned. Analyses the phenotypes produced by hypomorphic mutation and transgene expression suggested role in cell fate decision during differentiation compound eye, wing veins bristles. During embryonic development, started ubiquitously followed more restricted striking contrast patterns other forkhead fkh ) family genes whose local...

Abstract Nutrient conditions affect the reproductive potential and lifespan of many organisms through insulin signaling pathway. Although this is well characterized in female oogenesis, nutrient‐dependent regulation fertility/fecundity males not known. Seminal fluid components synthesized accessory gland are required for high fecundity Drosophila males. The composed two types binucleated cells: a main cell secondary ( SC ). transcription factors Defective proventriculus (Dve) Abdominal‐B...