A directed mutagenesis screen in Drosophila melanogaster reveals new mutants that influence hedgehog signaling

Genetics. 2000 Dec;156(4):1777-85. doi: 10.1093/genetics/156.4.1777.

Abstract

The Hedgehog signaling pathway has been recognized as essential for patterning processes in development of metazoan animal species. The signaling pathway is, however, not entirely understood. To start to address this problem, we set out to isolate new mutations that influence Hedgehog signaling. We performed a mutagenesis screen for mutations that dominantly suppress Hedgehog overexpression phenotypes in the Drosophila melanogaster wing. We isolated four mutations that influence Hedgehog signaling. These were analyzed in the amenable wing system using genetic and molecular techniques. One of these four mutations affects the stability of the Hedgehog expression domain boundary, also known as the organizer in the developing wing. Another mutation affects a possible Hedgehog autoregulation mechanism, which stabilizes the same boundary.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology
  • Drosophila Proteins*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics*
  • Genes, Insect*
  • Genes, Suppressor
  • Genetic Complementation Test
  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Insect Proteins / genetics
  • Insect Proteins / physiology*
  • Morphogenesis / genetics
  • Mutagenesis*
  • Phenotype
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics*
  • Trans-Activators*
  • Transcription Factors
  • Wings, Animal / ultrastructure

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Insect Proteins
  • Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • ci protein, Drosophila
  • dpp protein, Drosophila
  • hh protein, Drosophila