Notch inhibits Yorkie activity in Drosophila wing discs

PLoS One. 2014 Aug 26;9(8):e106211. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0106211. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

During development, tissues and organs must coordinate growth and patterning so they reach the right size and shape. During larval stages, a dramatic increase in size and cell number of Drosophila wing imaginal discs is controlled by the action of several signaling pathways. Complex cross-talk between these pathways also pattern these discs to specify different regions with different fates and growth potentials. We show that the Notch signaling pathway is both required and sufficient to inhibit the activity of Yorkie (Yki), the Salvador/Warts/Hippo (SWH) pathway terminal transcription activator, but only in the central regions of the wing disc, where the TEAD factor and Yki partner Scalloped (Sd) is expressed. We show that this cross-talk between the Notch and SWH pathways is mediated, at least in part, by the Notch target and Sd partner Vestigial (Vg). We propose that, by altering the ratios between Yki, Sd and Vg, Notch pathway activation restricts the effects of Yki mediated transcription, therefore contributing to define a zone of low proliferation in the central wing discs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • Drosophila Proteins / physiology*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Imaginal Discs / cytology
  • Imaginal Discs / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Notch / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Trans-Activators / genetics
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • YAP-Signaling Proteins

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • N protein, Drosophila
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Receptors, Notch
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • YAP-Signaling Proteins
  • Yki protein, Drosophila
  • sd protein, Drosophila
  • vg protein, Drosophila