The Drosophila spitz gene encodes a putative EGF-like growth factor involved in dorsal-ventral axis formation and neurogenesis.
Year: 1992
Type: preprint
Abstract: We describe the molecular characterization of the Drosophila gene spitz (spi), which encodes a putative 26-kD, EGF-like transmembrane protein that is structurally similar to TGF-alpha. Temporal and spatial expression patterns of spi transcripts indicate that spi is expressed throughout the embryo. Examination of mutant embryos reveals that spi is involved in a number of unrelated developmental choices, for example, dorsal-ventral axis formation, glial migration, sensory organ determination, and muscle development. We propose that spi may act as a ligand for cell-specific receptors, possibly rhomboid and/or the Drosophila EGF receptor homolog.
Source: Genes & Development
DOI: 10.1101/gad.6.8.1503
Authors: B J Rutledge, K Zhang, E Bier, Y N Jan, N Perrimon
Institutions: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2161990131