DROSOPHILA DIFFERENTIATION GENES INSTRUMENTAL IN TUMOR SUPPRESSION

Tumor suppressor genes of Drosophila are developmental genes which, in the homozygously mutated state, induce in one step malignant or benig n neoplastic transformation of specific cell types. They act early in development and by this set the stage for cell specific differentiatio n of imaginal discs, adult optic neuroblasts, blood and genial cells. The structure, expression and possible function of the following four tumor suppressor genes are discussed: tumorous imaginal disc, lethal(3 )malignant brain tumor, lethal(3)malignant blood neoplasm-1 and benign (2)gonial cell neoplasm.