Behaviour of Cells Mutant for an EGF Receptor Homologue of Drosophila in Genetic Mosaics

The Drosophila homologue of the epidermal growth factor receptor (DEGFr or DER, also called torpedo or top) has many mutant alleles that cause either embryonic lethality (both early and late), pupal lethality or female sterility, possibly corresponding to degrees of hypomorphism. We have studied the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings of the Royal Society. B, Biological sciences Biological sciences, 1990-10, Vol.242 (1303), p.36-44
Main Authors: Díaz-Benjumea, F. J., García-Bellido, A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alleles
Animals
Cell Differentiation - genetics
Cell growth
Cellular differentiation
Clone Cells - cytology
Daughter cells
Drosophila
Drosophila - cytology
Drosophila - genetics
Drosophila - metabolism
Epidermal cells
Genes, Lethal
Genetic mutation
Mosaic
Mosaicism
Mutation
Phenotype
Phenotypes
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor - genetics
Receptors
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Summary:The Drosophila homologue of the epidermal growth factor receptor (DEGFr or DER, also called torpedo or top) has many mutant alleles that cause either embryonic lethality (both early and late), pupal lethality or female sterility, possibly corresponding to degrees of hypomorphism. We have studied the clonal behaviour of some lethal alleles in genetic mosaics in the imaginal development of thorax, head and tergite epidermis. These alleles cause reduced cell viability to different degrees (measured in frequency and size of clones), smaller cell sizes, abnormal patterning of sensory-organ differentiation and lack of differentiation of macro-chaetae and veins. These effects are cellautonomous but also cause abnormal differentiation in wild-type cells surrounding the clones. In addition, we have studied the phenotypes of double mutant combinations of viable top alleles with wingpattern mutants, some related to other Drosophila proto-oncogenes, to reveal gene interactions in the role(s) of DER in cell proliferation and differentiation. We discuss how those complex cell-behaviour phenotypes and genetic interactions are related to the molecular nature of the DER.
ISSN:0962-8452
1471-2954
DOI:10.1098/rspb.1990.0100