Work

Bistability coordinates activation of the EGFR and DPP pathways in Drosophila vein differentiation

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: Cell differentiation in developing tissues is controlled by a small set of signaling pathways, which must coordinate the timing and levels of activation to ensure robust and precise outcomes. Highly coordinated activation of signaling pathways can result from cross-regulatory interactions in multi-pathway networks. Here we explore the dynamics and function of pathway coordination between the EGFR and DPP pathways during Drosophila wing-vein differentiation. We show that simultaneous activation of both the EGFR and DPP pathways must be maintained for vein cell differentiation and that above-threshold ectopic activation of either pathway is sufficient to drive vein cell differentiation outside the proveins. The joint activation of the EGFR and DPP signaling systems is ensured by a positive feedback loop, in which the two pathways stimulate each other at the level of ligand production.

Source: Molecular Systems Biology

DOI: 10.1038/msb.2009.35

Authors: Shian‐Jang Yan, Jeremiah J Zartman, Minjie Zhang, Anthony Scott, Stanislav Y Shvartsman, Willis X Li

Institutions: University of Rochester Medicine, University of Rochester, Princeton University

Language: English

Topic: Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $7,990