VEIN IS A NOVEL COMPONENT IN THE DROSOPHILA EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR RECEPTOR PATHWAY WITH SIMILARITY TO THE NEUREGULINS

Citation
B. Schnepp et al., VEIN IS A NOVEL COMPONENT IN THE DROSOPHILA EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR RECEPTOR PATHWAY WITH SIMILARITY TO THE NEUREGULINS, Genes & development, 10(18), 1996, pp. 2302-2313
Citations number
75
Categorie Soggetti
Developmental Biology","Genetics & Heredity
Journal title
ISSN journal
08909369
Volume
10
Issue
18
Year of publication
1996
Pages
2302 - 2313
Database
ISI
SICI code
0890-9369(1996)10:18<2302:VIANCI>2.0.ZU;2-J
Abstract
The activation signal from tyrosine kinase receptors, such as the epid ermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), is relayed via a highly conserved intracellular pathway involving Ras, Raf, and MAPK. In Drosophila, th e EGFR and components of the intracellular pathway are broadly express ed, yet receptor activation evokes tissue-specific cell responses. Ext racellular events that lead to receptor activation are one mechanism b y which signaling is modulated. Here we show molecular and genetic evi dence that Drosophila vein (vn) encodes a candidate EGFR ligand and th at vn expression is spatially restricted. Consequently, vn may promote tissue-specific receptor activation. Unlike two other ligands, Gurken (Grk) and Spitz (Spi), which are transforming growth factor alpha-lik e proteins, Vn has both an immunoglobulin-like and an EGF-like domain. This combination of domains mirrors those in the vertebrate neureguli ns that bind EGFR relatives.