Differential expression of two scribble isoforms during Drosophila embryogenesis

The tumour suppressor gene scribble (scrib) is required for epithelial pola rity and growth control in Drosophila. Here, we report the identification a nd embryonic expression pattern of two Scrib protein isoforms resulting fro m alternative splicing during scrib transcription. Both proteins are first ubiquitously expressed during early embryogenesis. Then, during morphogenes is each Scrib protein displays a specific pattern of expression in the cent ral and peripheral nervous systems, CNS and PNS, respectively. During germ band extension, the expression of the longer form Scrib1 occurs predominant ly in the neuroblasts derived from the neuro-ectoderm and becomes later res tricted to CNS neurones as well as to the pole cells in the gonads. By cont rast, the shorter form Scrib2 is strongly expressed in the PNS and a subset of CNS neurones. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserve d.