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.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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Base Sequence
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Blotting, Northern
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Cloning, Molecular
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Drosophila / embryology
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Drosophila / genetics*
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Drosophila Proteins*
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Epidermal Growth Factor / genetics*
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Larva / genetics
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Larva / growth & development
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Membrane Proteins / chemistry
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Membrane Proteins / genetics*
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Mutation / genetics
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Nucleic Acid Hybridization
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
Substances
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Drosophila Proteins
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Membrane Proteins
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins
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spi protein, Drosophila
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Epidermal Growth Factor
Associated data
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GENBANK/M79310
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GENBANK/M81118
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GENBANK/M95199
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GENBANK/S39480
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GENBANK/S49473
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GENBANK/S49475
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GENBANK/X65112
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GENBANK/X65113
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GENBANK/X66097
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GENBANK/X66098