Morphogens, compartments, and pattern: lessons from Drosophila?

Article Abstract:

Epigenesis in Drosophila, which involves the formation of morphogens, compartments and patterns, follows a similar pattern in vertebrates though it is more biochemical and cellular than genetic. Morphogen gradients allot cells into nonoverlapping sets, each of which forms a compartment. The compartments are allotted genetic addresses which help the founding cells decide which part of the body to make. Interaction between cells in neighbouring compartments forms new morphogen gradients that organize into patterns.

Analysis, Epigenesis

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Direct and long-range action of a wingless morphogen gradient

Article Abstract:

The ability of the Drosophila gene wingless (wg) to organize the pattern of cells sited at a distance from secreting cells during embryogenesis and during the development of adult tissues is investigated. The effects of ectopically expressing a wild-type form of wg, a membrane-tethered form of wg and a constitutively active form of the Armadillo protein are compared. Results suggest that wg functions as a morphogen, acting at long range and up-regulating the transcription of target genes.

Genetic aspects

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Organizing activity of wingless protein in Drosophila

Article Abstract:

An investigation was conducted to test whether the product of the Drosophila segment polarity gene wingless (wg) could function as an intercellular signal for pattern formation. The results showed that the expression of wg in a small subset of cells could influence the developmental behavior of surrounding, non-expressing cells. These results indicate that the wg protein can act as a diffusible factor that mediates pattern formation in Drosophila.

Developmental biology

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