Citation:
Rutledge BJ, Zhang K, Bier E, Jan YN, Perrimon N. The Drosophila spitz gene encodes a putative EGF-like growth factor involved in dorsal-ventral axis formation and neurogenesis. Genes Dev. 1992;6 (8) :1503-17.
 | 1992_Genes Dev_Rutledge.pdf | 2.77 MB |
Date Published:
1992 AugAbstract:
We describe the molecular characterization of the Drosophila gene spitz (spi), which encodes a putative 26-kD, EGF-like transmembrane protein that is structurally similar to TGF-alpha. Temporal and spatial expression patterns of spi transcripts indicate that spi is expressed throughout the embryo. Examination of mutant embryos reveals that spi is involved in a number of unrelated developmental choices, for example, dorsal-ventral axis formation, glial migration, sensory organ determination, and muscle development. We propose that spi may act as a ligand for cell-specific receptors, possibly rhomboid and/or the Drosophila EGF receptor homolog.
