Related Experiment Videos
DREF is required for EGFR signalling during Drosophila wing vein development
Hideki Yoshida1, Eunjeong Kwon, Fumiko Hirose
1Venture Laboratory, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan.
Genes to Cells : Devoted to Molecular & Cellular Mechanisms
|October 6, 2004
Summary
The DNA replication-related element binding factor (DREF) regulates gene expression and vein formation in Drosophila. DREF activates EGFR signaling, impacting wing development and proliferation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- DNA replication-related element binding factor (DREF) is implicated in regulating DNA replication and proliferation genes.
- DRE-like sequences are found in various gene regulatory regions, suggesting broader roles for DREF.
- DREF binds to numerous sites on polytene chromosomes, indicating diverse in vivo functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of DREF in Drosophila wing development.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which DREF influences vein formation.
- To determine the relationship between DREF and EGFR signaling pathways.
Main Methods:
- GAL4-UAS targeted expression system for DREF manipulation in Drosophila wing imaginal discs.
- Overexpression and RNA interference of DREF.
- Immunostaining of polytene chromosomes.
- Analysis of gene expression and signaling pathway activation (MAPK, EGFR).
Main Results:
- DREF overexpression led to increased vein width, while DREF knockdown resulted in vein loss.
- DREF overexpression caused ectopic activation of Rolled (a Drosophila MAPK homologue).
- Reduced D-raf gene dosage suppressed DREF-induced vein phenotypes, and DREF knockdown diminished D-raf promoter activity.
Conclusions:
- DREF plays a crucial role in Drosophila wing vein development.
- DREF regulates vein formation through the activation of EGFR signaling.
- These findings highlight DREF's multifaceted role beyond DNA replication in developmental processes.