distal antenna and distal antenna related encode nuclear proteins containing pipsqueak motifs involved in antenna development in Drosophila

B. Starling Emerald, Jennifer Curtiss, Marek Mlodzik, Stephen M. Cohen

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

61 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Legs and antennae are considered to be homologous appendages. The fundamental patterning mechanisms that organize spatial pattern are conserved, yet appendages with very different morphology develop. A genetic hierarchy for specification of antennal identity has been partly elucidated. We report identification of a novel family of genes with roles in antennal development. The distal antenna (dan) and distal antenna-related (danr) genes encode novel nuclear proteins that are expressed in the presumptive distal antenna, but not in the leg imaginal disc. Ectopic expression of dan or danr causes partial transformation of distal leg structure toward antennal identity. Mutants that remove dan and danr activity cause partial transformation of antenna toward leg identity. Therefore we suggest that dan and danr contribute to differentiation of antenna-specific characteristics. Antenna-specific expression of dan and danr depends on a regulatory hierarchy involving homothorax and Distal-less, as well as cut and spineless. We propose that dan and danr are effector genes that act downstream of these genes to control differentiation of distal antennal structures.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1171-1180
Number of pages10
JournalDevelopment
Volume130
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2003
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Antennae
  • Antennapedia
  • Distal-less
  • Drosophila
  • Homothorax
  • Patterns formation
  • Spineless

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology

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