GENETIC-ANALYSIS OF LAMININ-A REVEALS DIVERSE FUNCTIONS DURING MORPHOGENESIS IN DROSOPHILA

In order to dissect the functions of laminin A in vivo, we have undert aken a molecular and genetic characterization of the laminin A subunit (lamA) gene in Drosophila. Sequence analysis predicts a multidomain s tructure similar to mammalian homologs. We generated a series of compl ete and partial loss-of-function mutant alleles of the lamA gene; comp lete loss-of-function mutations lead to late embryonic lethality. Cert ain combinations of partial loss-of-function lamA alleles give rise to escaper adults, which have rough eyes associated with changes in cell fate and pattern, misshapen legs and defects in wing structure. These phenotypes suggest that laminin A has diverse functions during morpho genesis in Drosophila.