MINIREVIEWS
Cell Research (1998)8:273-284
© 1998 SIBS, CAS All rights reserved 1001-0602/98
Posterior gut development in Drosophila: a model system for identifying
genes controlling epithelial morphogenesis.
Lengyel JA, Liu XJ.
Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University
of California at Los Angeles 90095-1606, USA.
The posterior gut of the Drosophila embryo, consisting of hindgut and Malpighian
tubules, provides a simple, well-defined system where it is possible to
use a genetic approach to define components essential for epithelial morphogenesis.
We review here the advantages of Drosophila as a model genetic organism,
the morphogenesis of the epithelial structures of the posterior gut, and
what is known about the genetic requirements to form these structures. In
overview, primordia are patterned by expression of hierarchies of transcription
factors; this leads to localized expression of cell signaling molecules,
and finally, to the least understood step: modulation of cell adhesion and
cell shape. We describe approaches to identify additional genes that are
required for morphogenesis of these simple epithelia, particularly those
that might play a structural role by affecting cell adhesion and cell shape.
Keywords : Organogenesis,
cell rearrangement, convergent extension, hindgut, Malpighian tubule. |
