Cloning and expression of sprint, a Drosophila homologue of RIN1

The small GTPase Ras is critical for regulation of growth and differentiati on during development. The mammalian protein RIN1 is a potential Ras effect or protein. which can also interact with the Abelson tyrosine kinase. Howev er, its biological function is unknown. We have identified the Drosophila h omologue of RIN1. called sprint. for SH2, poly-proline containing Ras inter actor. The sprint locus is very large and contains at least two differentia lly expressed isoforms (sprint-a and sprint-b). Both isoforms are expressed in the ovary and maternal mRNA is deposited into embryos. In addition, spr int is zygotically expressed in the developing midgut. amnioserosa and in a specific subset of CNS neurons. The expression patterns of the two sprint isoforms are temporally distinct suggesting that the isoforms may have uniq ue functions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.