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Small open reading frames (smORFs) encoding ‘micropeptides’ exhibit remarkable evolutionary complexity. Conserved peptides encoded by  mille-pattes (mlpt)/polished rice (pri)/tarsal less (tal)  are essential for embryo segmentation in  Tribolium  but, in  Drosophila , function in terminal epidermal differentiation and patterning of adult legs. Here, we show that a molecular complex identified in  Drosophila  epidermal differentiation, comprising Mlpt peptides, ubiquitin-ligase Ubr3 and transcription factor Shavenbaby (Svb), represents an ancient developmental module required for early insect embryo patterning. We find that loss of segmentation function for this module in flies evolved concomitantly with restriction of Svb expression in early  Drosophila  embryos. Consistent with this observation, artificially restoring early Svb expression in flies causes segmentation defects that depend on  mlpt  function, demonstrating enduring potency of an ancestral developmental switch despite evolving embryonic patterning modes. These results highlight the evolutionary plasticity of conserved molecular complexes under the constraints of essential genetic networks. Editorial note:  This article has been through an editorial process in which the authors decide how to respond to the issues raised during peer review. The Reviewing Editor's assessment is that all the issues have been addressed ( see decision letter ).

The mlpt/Ubr3/Svb module comprises an ancient developmental switch for embryonic patterning