C. Henchcliffe et al., GENETIC-ANALYSIS OF LAMININ-A REVEALS DIVERSE FUNCTIONS DURING MORPHOGENESIS IN DROSOPHILA, Development, 118(2), 1993, pp. 325-337
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.