puckered (puc) encodes a VH1-like phosphatase that down-regulates Jun kinas
e (JNK) activity during dorsal closure of the Drosophila embryo. We report
a role for puc in follicle cell morphogenesis during oogenesis, puc mRNA ac
cumulates preferentially in the centripetally migrating follicle cells and
cells of the elongating dorsal appendages. Proper levels of Puc activity in
the follicle cells are critical for the production of a normal egg: either
reduced or increased Puc activity result in incomplete nurse cell dumping
and aberrant dorsal appendages. Phenotypes associated with puc mutant folli
cle cells include altered DE-cadherin expression in the follicle cells and
a failure of nurse cell dumping to coordinate with dorsal appendage elongat
ion, leading to the formation of cup-shaped egg chambers. The JNK pathway t
arget A251-IacZ showed cell-type-specific differences in its regulation by
puc and by the small GTPase DRacl. puc mutant cells displayed region-specif
ic ectopic expression of the A251-lacZ enhancer trap whereas overexpression
of a transgene encoding Puc was sufficient to suppress lacZ expression in
a cell autonomous fashion. Strikingly, decreased or increased puc function
leads to a corresponding increase or decrease, respectively, of Fos and Jun
protein levels. Taken together, these data indicate that puc modulates gen
e expression responses by antagonizing a Rho GTPase signal transduction pat
hway that stabilizes the AP-1 transcription factor. Consistent with this, o
verexpression of a dominant negative DRacl resulted in lower levels of Fos/
Jun.