Regulation of Apterous activity in Drosophila wing development

Apterous is a LIM-homeodomain protein that confers dorsal compartment ident ity in Drosophila wing development. Apterous activity requires formation of a complex with a co-factor, Chip/dLDB. Apterous activity is regulated duri ng wing development by dLMO, which competes with Apterous for complex forma tion. Here, we present evidence that complex formation between Apterous, Ch ip and DNA stabilizes Apterous protein in vivo. We also report that a diffe rence in the ability of Chip to bind the LIM domains of Apterous and dLMO c ontributes to regulation of activity levels in vivo.