Cell-autonomous roles of theecdysonelessgene inDrosophiladevelopment and oogenesis

• DOI: 10.1242/dev.01143
• Publication Date: 2004-05-11T00:25:53Z
• Authors: Ivana Gaziova; Peter C. Bonnette; Vincent C. Henrich; Marek Jindra
• Keywords: Steroid hormone; Ecdysone receptor; Conditional gene knockout

Steroid signaling underlies developmental processes in animals. Mutations that impair steroidogenesis the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster provide tools to dissect steroid hormone action genetically. The widely used temperature-sensitive mutation ecdysoneless(1) (ecd(1)) disrupts production of ecdysone, and causes reproductive defects. These defects cannot be satisfactorily interpreted without analysis ecd gene. Here, we show encodes an as yet functionally undescribed protein is conserved throughout eukaryotes. ecd(1) conditional allele contains amino acid substitution, whereas three non-conditional larval lethal mutations result truncated Ecd proteins. Consistent with its role synthesis, expressed ecdysone-producing ring gland. However, development ecd-null early mutants advanced by expression targeted gland or feeding. Cell-autonomous function, suggested these experiments, evidenced inability ecd(-) clones survive within developing imaginal discs. also ovary, required both follicle cells germline for oocyte development. defects, induced loss ecd, first direct evidence a cell-autonomous function this evolutionarily protein.