Which way is up?
Article Abstract:
It has been possible to identify a cellular architect that helps to maintain cell polarity in the fruitfly Drosphila. This research built on earlier work that identified other key players in the maintenance of cell polarity, including a protein named Crumbs. This protein is both a marker and a maker of 'apical character.' A protein named Scribble was identified as another participant in maintaining epithelial polarity. It was found that many consequences of the absence of Scribble are mimicked by deliberately mislocalizing Crumbs. It is therefore possible that one function of Scribble is to restrict Crumbs to the apical part of the cell. Scribble may form part of a fence preventing apical proteins from moving into basolateral territory, or it may help to direct basolateral and apical proteins to their correct locations.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2000
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Drosophila Tcf and Groucho interact to repress Wingless signalling activity
Article Abstract:
Wingless/Wnt signalling can detect cell-fate choice during embryonic development. Signal transduction from Wingless in Drosophila stabilizes cytosolic Armadillo, after which a bipartite transcription factor with the HMG-box protein Drosophila TCf, activating expression of Wingless-responsive genes. In the absence of Armadillo, dTcf becomes a transcriptional repressor of Wingless-responsive genes and Groucho is shown to act as a corepressor.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Drosophila oocyte localization is mediated by differential cadherin-based adhesion
Article Abstract:
The oocyte in a Drosophila follicle is always positioned in a posterior position amongst a group of 16 germline cells. A study has shown that the homophilic adhesion molecule DE-cadherin, mediates oocyte positioning. It is expressed in germline and follicle cells, with a high concentration at the interface between oocyte and posterior follicle cells. DE-cadherin is found to be required for correct oocyte localization.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Effects of solar UV-B radiation on embryonic development in Hyla cadaverina, Hyla regilla, and Taricha torosa
- Abstracts: Laying down the law: every living thing obeys the rules of scaling discovered by Max Kleiber. Magic beans
- Abstracts: A Hox by any other name. Hox genes and the making of sphincters. Hox gene expression in teleost fins and the origin of vertebrate digits