Unveiling the Tumor Suppressors: Insights from Drosophila

Tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) play a crucial role in maintaining tissue homeostasis, and their loss can lead to uncontrolled overgrowth. For over 50 years, Drosophila has been a pivotal organism for identifying and studying novel TSGs in vivo. This chapter focuses on two types of TSGs that regulate cell growth: hyperplastic TSGs and neoplastic TSGs. Loss of hyperplastic TSGs will result in cell overgrowth without disrupting tissue organization, generating tumors with less malignancy. Conversely, mutations in neoplastic TSGs can severely damage apical-basal architectures, resulting in more aggressive tumors. Additionally, we will discuss two types of cell-cell communication processes: TSG-induced nonautonomous growth and TSG-induced cell competition. Understanding these mechanisms of cell-cell communication is essential for elucidating tumor progression. This chapter aims to provide additional insights into how Drosophila is utilized to advance our understanding of TSGs.