Composite signalling from Serrate and Delta establishes leg segments in Drosophila through Notch

• DOI: 10.1242/dev.126.13.2993
• Publication Date: 2021-04-23T19:45:10Z
• Authors: S. A. Bishop; T. Klein; A. Martinez Arias; J. P. Couso
• Keywords: Signalling

ABSTRACT The receptor protein NOTCH and its ligands SERRATE DELTA are involved in many developmental processes invertebrates vertebrates alike. Here we show that the expression of Serrate Delta genes patterns segments leg Drosophila by a combination their signalling activities. Coincident stripes expressing cells activate Enhancer split adjacent through Notch signalling. These form patterning boundary from which putative secondary signal leads to development joints. Elsewhere tarsal segments, is necessary for non-joint parts leg. We propose these two effects result different thresholds activation, translated into downstream gene effects. general mechanism creation boundaries