Role of the EGFR/Ras/Raf pathway in specification of photoreceptor cells in the Drosophila retina

• DOI: 10.1242/dev.128.7.1183
• Publication Date: 2021-04-26T04:47:47Z
• Authors: Lihui Yang; Nicholas E. Baker
• Keywords: Ommatidium; Cyclin-dependent kinase 8; Photoreceptor cell

ABSTRACT The Drosophila EGF receptor is required for differentiation of many cell types during eye development. We have used mosaic analysis with definitive null mutations to analyze the effects complete absence EGFR, Ras or Raf proteins Egfr, ras and raf genes are each found be essential recruitment R1-R7 cells. In addition Egfr autonomously MAP kinase activation. EGFR not R8 specification, either alone redundantly any other that acts through Raf, by activating kinase. As loss perturbs spacing arrangement precursor affected argos in posteriorly juxtaposed cells, which rules out a model expression position specification register between adjacent columns ommatidia. role was partially simultaneous deletion spitz vein, two ligand genes, but data suggest activation independent vein also involved. results prove photoreceptors specified positioned distinct mechanisms from R1-R7.