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Roles of receptor tyrosine kinases in Drosophila development
Author(s) -
Shilo BenZion
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.6.11.1322852
Subject(s) - receptor tyrosine kinase , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , morphogenesis , signal transduction , neuroblast , cell fate determination , receptor protein tyrosine kinases , genetics , transcription factor , neurogenesis , gene
Communication between cells is a fundamental component of development and morphogenesis. Identification of the molecules mediating cell‐cell communication is crucial for elucidation of the molecular basis of these processes. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) appear to play a central role in this context by transmitting into cells information dictating their fate. The functions of RTKs in Drosophila are extremely diverse, and include maternal determination of embryonic polarity ( torso and torpedo ), determination of neuroblast identity ( faint little ball ), and guidance of tracheal cell migration in the embryo ( breathless ). During compound eye development, RTKs affect the number of photoreceptor clusters ( Ellipse ) and the determination of photoreceptor R7 identity ( sevenless ). The phenotypes of mutations in RTK loci serve as a starting point for understanding processes dictating cell identity at the level of the whole organism. Recently, they have also begun to provide a basis for selection of second‐site suppressor mutations, encoding additional elements in their signal transduction pathway. Common themes between the functions, regulation, and signal transduction pathways of Drosophila RTKs are drawn.— Shilo, B‐Z. Roles of receptor tyrosine kinases in Drosophila development. FASEB J. 6: 2915‐2922; 1992.