The Drosophila SOX-domain protein Dichaete is required for the development of the central nervous system midline

Development. 1998 Oct;125(20):3989-96. doi: 10.1242/dev.125.20.3989.

Abstract

SOX-domain proteins are a class of developmentally important transcriptional regulators related to the mammalian testis determining factor SRY. In common with other SOX-domain genes, the Drosophila Dichaete gene has a dynamic expression profile in the developing central nervous system, including cells of the ventral midline. We find defects in the differentiation of midline glia and concomitant axonal defects in Dichaete mutants that are rescued by driving Dichaete expression in the midline. Since Dichaete is required for the correct specification or differentiation of midline glia, we have used the ventral midline as a model system to study SOX gene function in vivo and demonstrate a genetic interaction between Dichaete and the POU domain gene ventral veinless. In mammals, a protein related to Dichaete, SOX2, also interacts with POU transcription factors. The midline phenotypes of Dichaete mutations are rescued by expression of mouse SOX2. Our data suggest that SOX gene structure, function and interactions have been conserved during evolution.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Animals
  • Axons / metabolism
  • Axons / ultrastructure
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Body Patterning*
  • Central Nervous System / cytology
  • Central Nervous System / embryology
  • Central Nervous System / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology
  • Drosophila Proteins*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / embryology*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Eye Proteins / analysis
  • Genes, Insect
  • HMGB Proteins
  • High Mobility Group Proteins / genetics*
  • High Mobility Group Proteins / metabolism
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Insect Proteins / analysis
  • Insect Proteins / genetics
  • Insect Proteins / metabolism
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / analysis
  • Neuroglia / cytology
  • Neuroglia / metabolism
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / physiology
  • POU Domain Factors
  • Phenotype
  • SOX Transcription Factors
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors
  • Sequence Deletion
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • D protein, Drosophila
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Eye Proteins
  • HMGB Proteins
  • High Mobility Group Proteins
  • Insect Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • POU Domain Factors
  • SOX Transcription Factors
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors
  • Sox2 protein, mouse
  • Transcription Factors
  • sli protein, Drosophila
  • vvl protein, Drosophila
  • aos protein, Drosophila