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SNARE-dependent signaling at the Drosophila wing margin
B A Stewart1, M Mohtashami, L Zhou
1Program in Developmental Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X8, Canada. bstewart@sickkids.on.ca
Developmental Biology
|May 18, 2001
Summary
Disrupting N-Ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein (NSF) in Drosophila wings impairs membrane trafficking, affecting developmental signaling pathways like wingless and Notch. This study highlights SNARE-mediated trafficking
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Drosophila melanogaster wing is a model for developmental interactions.
- Mechanisms of membrane trafficking in development are not well understood.
- SNARE-dependent trafficking is crucial for cellular processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- Assess SNARE-dependent membrane trafficking importance in Drosophila wing development.
- Investigate the role of N-Ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein (NSF) in wing development.
- Identify signaling pathways affected by impaired membrane trafficking.
Main Methods:
- Constructed a mutant form of NSF expressed in the developing Drosophila wing margin.
- Observed wing phenotypes and analyzed genetic interactions.
- Performed genetic screens to identify interacting genes.
Main Results:
- Mutant NSF expression caused a notched-wing phenotype, exacerbated by VAMP/Synaptobrevin or Syntaxin mutations.
- Phenotype enhancement with wingless and Notch pathway mutants indicated disrupted signaling.
- Genetic screens identified two novel Notch pathway components linked to wing development.
Conclusions:
- SNARE-mediated membrane trafficking is essential for Drosophila wing margin development.
- Disrupted trafficking impacts wingless and Notch signaling pathways.
- Dosage-sensitive developmental pathways can report partial membrane-trafficking defects.