LIM domains are found in a variety of proteins, including cytoplasmic and nuclear LIM-only proteins, LIM-homeodomain (LIM-HD) transcription factors and LIM-kinases. Although the ability of LIM domains to interact with other proteins has been clearly established in vitro and in cultured cells, their in vivo function is unknown. Here we use Drosophila to test the roles of the LIM domains of the LIM-HD family member Apterous (Ap) in wing and nervous system development. Using a rescuing assay of the ap mutant phenotype, we have found that the LIM domains are essential for Ap function. Furthermore, expression of LIM domains alone can act in a dominant-negative fashion to disrupt Ap function. The Ap LIM domains can be replaced by those of another family member to generate normal wing structure, but LIM domains are not interchangeable during axon pathfinding of the Ap neurons. This suggests that the Ap LIM domains mediate different protein interactions in different developmental processes, and that LIM domains can participate in conferring specificity of target gene selection.

The LIM-homeodomain (LIM-HD) gene family encodes a large group of transcriptional regulators, whose members have been implicated in a variety of developmental processes. Early embryonic patterning events (Shawlot and Behringer, 1995; Taira et al., 1997), limb and eye formation (Vogel et al., 1995; Porter et al., 1997), and the development of imaginal discs in Drosophila (Cohen et al., 1992; Curtiss and Heilig, 1997) all depend on the function of LIM-HD family members. LIM-HD proteins are also expressed in discrete subpopulations of developing neurons (Way and Chalfie, 1989; Ericson et al., 1992; Tsuchida et al., 1994; Appel et al., 1995; Matsumoto et al., 1996; Varela-Echavarria et al., 1996) and play key roles in their differentiation (Way and Chalfie, 1988; Lundgren et al., 1995; Pfaff et al., 1996; Sheng et al., 1996; Hobert et al., 1997; Porter et al., 1997; Sheng et al., 1997; Thor and Thomas, 1997; Hobert et al., 1998).

Although many of the developmental processes that the LIM-HD transcription factors control have been elucidated, the mechanisms by which they regulate target genes remains unknown. It is generally thought that these factors become localized to the regulatory regions of appropriate target genes through recognition of specific genomic sequences by their homeodomains. However, many homeodomains, including those of the LIM-HD class, appear to bind similar target sequences in vitro (Hoey and Levine, 1988; Kalionis and O’Farrell, 1993). Therefore, specificity of target gene selection is not likely to be controlled entirely by the DNA-binding properties of the homeodomain.

In addition to the DNA-binding homeodomain, members of the LIM-HD family of transcription factors have two highly conserved domains in the N-terminal portion of the protein, called the LIM domains (Freyd et al., 1990; Karlsson et al., 1990). LIM domains received their name from the first three founding members of the family: C. elegansLin-11 and Mec- 3, plus mammalian Islet-1. LIM domains are cysteine-rich, zinc-finger like domains (Michelsen et al., 1993; Archer et al., 1994) which do not bind DNA, but instead have been shown to mediate protein-protein interactions (Schmeichel and Beckerle, 1994; Arber and Caroni, 1996, for recent review see Jurata and Gill, 1998).

Interactions between LIM domains and a number of different proteins have been well characterized. One family of interacting proteins binds the LIM domains of LIM-HD and nuclear LIM- only proteins with high affinity. This family includes mouse NLI/Ldb1/Clim-2, Xenopus Xlbd1, Zebrafish Ldb1-4, and Drosophila Chip (Agulnick et al., 1996; Jurata et al., 1996; Bach et al., 1997; Morcillo et al., 1997; Toyama et al., 1998). NLI binds LIM domains via a specific LIM interacting domain, and is also capable of self-dimerization (Jurata and Gill, 1997). In this manner, NLI forms a bridge between two LIM-HD proteins, building homo- or heterodimeric complexes of LIM-HD transcription factors (Jurata et al., 1998). In addition to binding the LIM domain of the LIM-HD family member Apterous (Ap), the Drosophila NLI homolog, Chip, genetically interacts with ap in the developing wing, evidence that the Ap- Chip interaction is functional (Morcillo et al., 1997). LIM domains can also bind directly to other transcription factors, resulting in synergistic activation of transcription in cultured cells. For example E47, a bHLH transcription factor, binds the LIM domains of Lmx-1 (Johnson et al., 1997), and the POU domain of Pit-1 binds the LIM domains of Lhx-3 (Bach et al., 1995). In contrast to NLI-LIM interactions, which appear to be global since NLI binds all nuclear LIM domains tested, interactions between LIM domains and other transcription factors are highly specific. For example, E47 binds Lmx-1, but does not interact with Islet-1 (Johnson et al., 1997). Collectively these studies suggest that LIM domains play a critical role in the assembly of protein complexes necessary for target gene regulation and indicate that LIM domains mediate a variety of specific protein interactions.

While the nature of protein interactions mediated by LIM domains are beginning to be elucidated in vitro, the functional contribution of the LIM domains in vivo is virtually unknown. Here we use Drosophila to investigate the role of the LIM domains of the LIM-HD member Apterous (Ap). ap plays a key role in a number of developmental processes, including wing and haltere development (Butterworth and King, 1965; Cohen et al., 1992; Diaz-Benjumea and Cohen, 1993; Blair et al., 1994), muscle differentiation (Bourgouin et al., 1992), axon guidance within the embryonic nervous system (Lundgren et al., 1995) and juvenile hormone production (Altartz et al., 1991). Adults mutant for ap eclose at a low frequency and are wingless, highly uncoordinated, sterile and short-lived, dying within 1-2 days after eclosion. We have chosen to examine two aspects of the ap phenotype in detail: wing development and embryonic axon pathfinding.

Using the GAL4 system (Brand and Perrimon, 1993) to direct expression of transgenes specifically in ap-expressing cells, we have found that the LIM domains, as well as the homeodomain, are essential for Ap function. Furthermore, expression of LIM domains alone can act in a dominant- negative fashion to disrupt Ap function, causing ap mutant phenotypes. Analysis of chimeric LIM-HD proteins establishes that LIM domains are interchangeable between family members in the generation of wing structure. In contrast, for axon pathfinding of the Ap neurons, the LIM domains confer functional specificity and cannot be replaced by those of another family member. This suggests that the Ap LIM domains mediate qualitatively different protein interactions in these two developmental processes.

DNA constructs

All manipulations of the ap cDNA are based on the published full length cDNA clone (Bourgouin et al., 1992) in pKS Bluescript vector (Stratagene). UAS-ap was generated by XbaI excision of the entire ap open-reading frame from pKS16-5 and insertion into the pUAS vector (Brand and Perrimon, 1993). To generate UAS-apΔHD, sequences encoding aa 1-338 were amplified from pKS16-4 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), ligated into pKS by TA cloning (Marchuk et al., 1990), then excised with XbaI and cloned into pUAS. For UAS-apΔLIM, PCR- based mutagenesis (Ho et al., 1989) was used to eliminate sequences encoding aa 148-260 (the two LIM domains). The resulting PCR fragment was inserted into the pUAS XbaI site as above. The UAS-lim3 construct comprised a HindIII/NotI digested lim3 cDNA fragment from pNB40-lim3 (S. T., S. G. E. Andersson, A. Tomlinson and J. B. T., unpublished) to which XbaI linkers were ligated for subsequent cloning into pUAS. For UAS-lim3:ap, sequences encoding aa 1-167 of Lim3 (including the LIM domains) were PCR amplified from pNB40-lim3 adding a 3′ EcoRV restriction site. This PCR fragment was TA cloned into pKS to create pKS-lim3LIM. Concurrently, sequences encoding aa 339-470 of ap (including the homeodomain) were PCR amplified from pKS16-5 adding a 5′ EcoRV restriction site and TA cloned into pKS to create pKS-apHD. Sequences encoding the Lim3 LIM domain were excised from pKS-lim3LIM using EcoRV and XbaI and inserted into the EcoRV site of pKS-apHD. The entire lim3:ap chimera was then cloned into the XbaI site of pUAS. For UAS-isletΔHD, sequences encoding aa 1-226 were PCR amplified and inserted into the pUAS XhoI site as above. UAS-tau-lacZ was made by EcoRI excision of tau-lacZ (Callahan and Thomas, 1994) from pKS and transferred into pUAS.

Fly strains and genetics

P-element transformation was carried out as described previously (Rubin and Spradling, 1982). For each UAS transgene, multiple lines were generated and checked for expression using the anti-Ap antibody. Insertions for each UAS element were recombined onto a UAS-tau-lacZ chromosome to label expressing cells. These chromosomes were then crossed into an apP44 mutant background. Each line was then crossed to apGAL4 to analyze the rescuing ability of the transgene (apGAL4/Cyo,wg-lacZ x apP44/Cyo,wg-lacZ; UAS- tau-lacZ, UAS-transgene). Mutants were identified by using a CyO balancer chromosome marked with wg-lacZ. Since UAS-tau-lacZ had a dominant effect when expressed in the wing disc, this transgene was omitted for wing analysis. All fly crosses and embryo collections were carried out at 25°C unless otherwise indicated.

Immunohistochemistry

Embryo dissections and HRP immunostainings were performed as described previously (Callahan and Thomas, 1994). For fluorescence immunostaining to detect β-Gal and Ap simultaneously, dissected embryos were first incubated with rabbit anti-β-Gal antibody (Cappel; diluted 1:10,000) at 4°C overnight, followed by a biotin-conjugated secondary antibody (Vector; diluted 1:500) and finally Cy-3- conjugated streptavidin (Jackson Immunoresearch Labs; diluted 1:400). Following a twenty minute re-fixation, embryos were incubated with rat anti-Ap (Lundgren et al., 1995, diluted 1:1000) at 4°C overnight, and then an FITC-conjugated secondary antibody (Vector; diluted 1:200). X-Gal staining was performed according to Klämbt et al. (1991) on dissected wing discs fixed for 10 minutes in 4% paraformaldehyde. Confocal microscopy was performed as described previously (Callahan et al., 1996).

The ap mutant phenotype

During larval development ap is expressed in the dorsal compartment of the wing disc, the region giving rise to the notum, scutelum, wing hinge and dorsal surface of the wing blade (Cohen et al., 1992). ap functions to restrict these cells to a dorsal identity, and is necessary for normal wing margin formation (Diaz-Benjumea and Cohen, 1993; Blair et al., 1994). In flies homozygous for apP44, a null allele of ap (Bourgouin et al., 1992), the wing is completely eliminated. Within the embryonic ventral nerve cord (VNC), ap is expressed by three of the approximately 200 neurons in each abdominal hemisegment (Bourgouin et al., 1992). Using promoter fusions to the axon-targeting tau-lacZ reporter (Callahan and Thomas, 1994), we previously showed that the ap-expressing neurons are interneurons that extend axons ipsilaterally and anteriorly along a single pathway within each longitudinal connective (Lundgren et al., 1995). Upon reaching the adjacent anterior segment the Ap neurons tightly fasciculate with their homologues, forming a discrete axon bundle running the length of the VNC (Fig. 1F). In apP44 mutant embryos the ap neurons fail to recognize their appropriate pathway and instead wander within the connective, failing to fasciculate with one another.

Fig. 1.

apGAL4 directs transgene expression in ap cells and is a mutant allele of ap. (A) An apGAL4/+;UAS-lacZ/+ third instar larval wing disc stained with X- Gal. β-gal activity is confined to the dorsal compartment of the wing disc where ap is normally expressed. (B-D) Double immunofluorescence labeling for Apterous (green) and Tau-β-gal (red) in dissected embryonic ventral nerve cords (stage 16-17). The left hemisegments of two adjacent abdominal segments are shown. In apGAL4/+; UAS-tau-lacZ embryos (B), Tau-β-gal immunoreactivity is restricted to the three neurons per hemisegment that express Ap. Arrow points to the three Ap neurons in the top hemisegment. Slight variations in Tau-β-gal levels may reflect variability in the strength of GAL4 transactivation. In apGAL4/apP44;UAS-tau-lacZ/+ mutant embryos (C), there is no detectable Ap immunoreactivity in the Tau-β-gal-expressing Ap neurons. (D) Introduction of a single UAS-ap transgene into an apGAL4/apP44 mutant background (genotype = apGAL4/apP44;UAS-ap,UAS-tau-lacZ/+) restores Ap immunoreactivity to the Tau-β-gal-expressing Ap neurons. (E,G) Adult apGAL4/+ heterozygotes (E) have wild-type wings, whereas apGAL4/apP44 mutants (G) show a strong hypomorphic ap mutant phenotype in which the wings are reduced to unstructured ribbon-like protrusions (arrow). (F,H) Dissected embryonic VNCs from individuals carrying a UAS-tau-lacZ transgene to visualize the Ap neurons. Embryos were stained for Tau-β-gal using HRP immunohistochemistry. In apGAL4/+;UAS-tau-lacZ/+ embryos (F), the Ap neurons are tightly fasciculated, forming a discrete axon bundle within the connectives (arrowhead). Arrow points to the cell body of the dorsal Ap neuron; the two ventral cell bodies are out of the focal plane. In apGAL4/apP44;UAS-tau-lacZ/+ mutant embryos (H), the Ap neurons exhibit pathfinding errors, wandering within the connectives and failing to fasciculate with one another (arrowhead).

Fig. 1.

apGAL4 directs transgene expression in ap cells and is a mutant allele of ap. (A) An apGAL4/+;UAS-lacZ/+ third instar larval wing disc stained with X- Gal. β-gal activity is confined to the dorsal compartment of the wing disc where ap is normally expressed. (B-D) Double immunofluorescence labeling for Apterous (green) and Tau-β-gal (red) in dissected embryonic ventral nerve cords (stage 16-17). The left hemisegments of two adjacent abdominal segments are shown. In apGAL4/+; UAS-tau-lacZ embryos (B), Tau-β-gal immunoreactivity is restricted to the three neurons per hemisegment that express Ap. Arrow points to the three Ap neurons in the top hemisegment. Slight variations in Tau-β-gal levels may reflect variability in the strength of GAL4 transactivation. In apGAL4/apP44;UAS-tau-lacZ/+ mutant embryos (C), there is no detectable Ap immunoreactivity in the Tau-β-gal-expressing Ap neurons. (D) Introduction of a single UAS-ap transgene into an apGAL4/apP44 mutant background (genotype = apGAL4/apP44;UAS-ap,UAS-tau-lacZ/+) restores Ap immunoreactivity to the Tau-β-gal-expressing Ap neurons. (E,G) Adult apGAL4/+ heterozygotes (E) have wild-type wings, whereas apGAL4/apP44 mutants (G) show a strong hypomorphic ap mutant phenotype in which the wings are reduced to unstructured ribbon-like protrusions (arrow). (F,H) Dissected embryonic VNCs from individuals carrying a UAS-tau-lacZ transgene to visualize the Ap neurons. Embryos were stained for Tau-β-gal using HRP immunohistochemistry. In apGAL4/+;UAS-tau-lacZ/+ embryos (F), the Ap neurons are tightly fasciculated, forming a discrete axon bundle within the connectives (arrowhead). Arrow points to the cell body of the dorsal Ap neuron; the two ventral cell bodies are out of the focal plane. In apGAL4/apP44;UAS-tau-lacZ/+ mutant embryos (H), the Ap neurons exhibit pathfinding errors, wandering within the connectives and failing to fasciculate with one another (arrowhead).

apGAL4 directs transgene expression specifically in ap cells

To express the Ap variants in this study we made use of the GAL4/UAS system (Brand and Perrimon, 1993). We used a P[GAL4] enhancer trap insertion in the ap locus, isolated by Calleja et al. (1996). We found that this P[GAL4] line, which we have named apGAL4, is capable of driving reproducibly high levels of UAS transgene expression in the ap cells within the wing disc and the central nervous system (CNS). In apGAL4/+ individuals carrying a UAS-lacZ transgene, β-galactosidase (β-gal) activity is specifically localized to the cells of the dorsal compartment of the wing disc where ap is normally expressed (Fig. 1A). We determined the identity and behavior of the GAL4- expressing cells in the CNS using a UAS-tau-lacZ transgene to label axon processes. Double labeling of apGAL4/+; UAS-tau-lacZ/+ embryos for Ap and β-gal revealed that apGAL4 drives high levels of Tau-β-gal specifically in ap neurons, and that the axon processes of these neurons project normally within the connectives (Fig. 1B).

apGAL4 is a strong mutant allele of ap

By several criteria, apGAL4 acts as a strong hypomorphic allele of ap. apGAL4/apP44 individuals show only a slightly more extreme wing phenotype than apGAL4 homozygotes. Like apP44 homozygotes, apGAL4/apP44 individuals have no wings, but often have a ribbon-like outgrowth in the wing region that lacks any recognizable structures (Fig. 1G). This ribbon-like outgrowth is similar to that observed when apP44 is placed in trans to the temperature-sensitive allele apts78j (Wilson, 1981) and the flies are raised at non-permissive temperatures (data not shown). Such an outgrowth is rarely seen in apP44 homozygotes, suggesting that apGAL4 retains a low level of ap function. Like null mutants, apGAL4 mutant individuals are sterile, uncoordinated and exhibit precocious adult death.

Within the CNS of apGAL4/apP44 embryos, Ap protein levels are undetectable and axon pathfinding errors, as assayed with a UAS-tau-lacZ reporter transgene, are indistinguishable from those of apP44 homozygotes (Fig. 1C,H). As in apP44 homozygotes, the Ap neurons still project anteriorly but fail to choose a common pathway, wandering within the connectives and remaining highly defasciculated.

A full-length ap transgene rescues the ap mutant phenotype

We first tested whether rescue of the ap mutant phenotype was possible by re-supplying wild-type function using the apGAL4 allele to drive expression of an ap cDNA (Fig. 2). A single copy of a UAS-ap transgene almost completely rescues the wing defects of apGAL4/apP44 individuals (Fig. 3A). The wing blade is of appropriate size with a normal margin and vein pattern, but is held at right angles away from the body, resembling the phenotype of mild ap hypomorphic mutations in which only the hinge region is affected (Wilson, 1981; Bourgouin et al., 1992). This mild wing defect may result from failure of apGAL4 to drive completely wild-type expression in the developing wing disc, or from the inherent delay in the timing of expression using GAL4/UAS-mediated transactivation (Brand and Perrimon, 1993; Lin et al., 1995). A single copy of UAS-ap is also capable of rescuing both the sterility and uncoordinated behavior of apGAL4/apP44 individuals.

Fig. 2.

Schematic representation of transgenes tested for their ability to rescue the ap phenotype. Full-length, truncated and chimeric versions of the ap and lim3 cDNAs were cloned downstream of the GAL4 Upstream Activating Sequences (UAS), enabling apGAL4 to express these transgenes specifically in ap cells. The Ap protein is 470 amino acids (aa) in length. ApΔLIM eliminates aa 148-260 comprising the two LIM domains. ApΔHD truncates the protein between the LIM and homeodomain at aa 338 (the homeodomain is aa 367-426). Lim3 is 442 aa in length. The Lim3:Ap chimera fuses aa 1-169 of Lim3 (containing the LIM domains) to aa 339-470 of Ap (containing the homeodomain

Fig. 2.

Schematic representation of transgenes tested for their ability to rescue the ap phenotype. Full-length, truncated and chimeric versions of the ap and lim3 cDNAs were cloned downstream of the GAL4 Upstream Activating Sequences (UAS), enabling apGAL4 to express these transgenes specifically in ap cells. The Ap protein is 470 amino acids (aa) in length. ApΔLIM eliminates aa 148-260 comprising the two LIM domains. ApΔHD truncates the protein between the LIM and homeodomain at aa 338 (the homeodomain is aa 367-426). Lim3 is 442 aa in length. The Lim3:Ap chimera fuses aa 1-169 of Lim3 (containing the LIM domains) to aa 339-470 of Ap (containing the homeodomain

Fig. 3.

The LIM domain and homeodomain of Ap are necessary for function. Pairs of panels show the wing and embryonic CNS phenotypes of apGAL4/apP44 mutant individuals carrying a single copy of the UAS transgene denoted. To visualize the Ap neurons in the CNS, a UAS-tau-lacZ reporter transgene was included. Embryos were stained for Tau-β-gal using HRP immunohistochemistry. (A,B) Full-length Ap rescues the wing and embryonic CNS ap phenotypes. (A) The wings are of normal size, shape and veination, although they are held away from the body. (B) Within the CNS, the Ap neurons recognize their correct pathway and are tightly fasciculated (arrowhead), indistinguishable from wild-type. (C,D) ApΔLIM, a LIM domain-deleted version of Ap, is unable to rescue either the wing or CNS ap mutant phenotypes. Wings remain ribbon-like protrusions (arrow) (C) and the Ap neurons remain highly defasciculated, choosing multiple pathways within the connectives (arrowhead) (D). These individuals are indistinguishable from apGAL4/apP44 mutants. (E,F) ApΔHD, a homeodomain-deleted version of Ap, is unable to rescue either the wing or CNS ap phenotypes. (E) The ribbon-like outgrowth observed in apGAL4/apP44 mutants is entirely eliminated (arrow), suggesting that ApΔHD acts as a dominant-negative factor in the wing to disrupt residual ap function. (F) In the CNS the Ap neurons remain highly defasciculated (arrowhead), indistinguishable from apGAL4/apP44 mutants. Quantitation of the CNS phenotypes are shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 3.

The LIM domain and homeodomain of Ap are necessary for function. Pairs of panels show the wing and embryonic CNS phenotypes of apGAL4/apP44 mutant individuals carrying a single copy of the UAS transgene denoted. To visualize the Ap neurons in the CNS, a UAS-tau-lacZ reporter transgene was included. Embryos were stained for Tau-β-gal using HRP immunohistochemistry. (A,B) Full-length Ap rescues the wing and embryonic CNS ap phenotypes. (A) The wings are of normal size, shape and veination, although they are held away from the body. (B) Within the CNS, the Ap neurons recognize their correct pathway and are tightly fasciculated (arrowhead), indistinguishable from wild-type. (C,D) ApΔLIM, a LIM domain-deleted version of Ap, is unable to rescue either the wing or CNS ap mutant phenotypes. Wings remain ribbon-like protrusions (arrow) (C) and the Ap neurons remain highly defasciculated, choosing multiple pathways within the connectives (arrowhead) (D). These individuals are indistinguishable from apGAL4/apP44 mutants. (E,F) ApΔHD, a homeodomain-deleted version of Ap, is unable to rescue either the wing or CNS ap phenotypes. (E) The ribbon-like outgrowth observed in apGAL4/apP44 mutants is entirely eliminated (arrow), suggesting that ApΔHD acts as a dominant-negative factor in the wing to disrupt residual ap function. (F) In the CNS the Ap neurons remain highly defasciculated (arrowhead), indistinguishable from apGAL4/apP44 mutants. Quantitation of the CNS phenotypes are shown in Fig. 6.

To examine the ap neurons in these rescued individuals, we recombined the UAS-tau-lacZ and UAS-ap transgenes onto the same chromosome. Within the VNC of apGAL4/apP44 embryos carrying one copy each of UAS-ap and UAS-tau-lacZ, Ap immunoreactivity is clearly restored in the Ap neurons (Fig. 1D) and the behavior of these neurons is indistinguishable from wild-type (Figs 3B, 6). The axons of the Ap neurons in these rescued individuals fasciculate tightly with one another and choose a single pathway as they project anteriorly within the connectives. Thus, re-supplying ap function with UAS-ap fully rescues the nervous system phenotype.

Both the LIM and homeodomain of Ap are necessary for function

We capitalized on the apGAL4/UAS-ap-mediated phenotypic rescue to ask whether the Ap LIM domains are required for function. To generate ApΔLIM, we specifically eliminated the LIM domains, and left the rest of the protein intact (Fig. 2). This Ap derivative is unable to rescue any element of the ap phenotype when expressed using apGAL4 in ap mutant cells, although ApΔLIM protein is present at high levels and is properly localized to the nucleus as assayed with the anti-Ap antibody (data not shown). In apGAL4/apP44; UAS-apΔLIM/+ adults, the wings remain ribbon-like outgrowths, devoid of any identifiable structures (Fig. 3C). Using the UAS-tau-lacZ transgene we found that the ap neurons remain defasciculated indistinguishable from those of apGAL4/apP44 mutant individuals (Figs 3D, 6). Therefore, the LIM domains are essential for ap function.

We also tested whether the Ap homeodomain is necessary for function. To generate ApΔHD, we truncated Apterous between the LIM domains and the homeodomain, thereby eliminating the homeodomain and the C-terminal end of the protein (Fig. 2). Like ApΔLIM, this construct is unable to rescue either the ap wing or CNS phenotypes when expressed in ap mutant cells under the control of apGAL4, indicating that the homeodomain is also required for ap function (Figs 3E,F, 6).

apΔHD disrupts ap function

We found that ApΔHD, but not ApΔLIM, is capable of modifying the wing phenotype of apGAL4/apP44 flies. In apGAL4/apP44; UAS- apΔHD/+ flies the ribbon-like outgrowth commonly observed in apGAL4/apP44 individuals is entirely eliminated, suggesting that the ApΔHD protein acts in a dominant-negative fashion to disrupt residual ap function (Fig. 3E).

To further examine the potential dominant-negative activity of ApΔHD, we analyzed its effects in apGAL4/+ heterozygous individuals, which have normal wings. The wings of apGAL4/+ flies carrying a single copy of UAS-apΔHD are blistered and exhibit numerous margin defects (Fig. 4A). The dorsal and ventral wing surfaces often fail to fuse, resulting in a fluid- filled balloon-like structure. Supplying additional wild-type ap function with a copy of UAS-ap (genotype = apGAL4/+; UAS- apΔHD/UAS-ap) fully restores wild-type wing structure, indicating that ApΔHD interferes with ap function (Fig. 4B).

Fig. 4.

Expression of LIM domains disrupts ap function in the developing wing. (A) Expression of ApΔHD in apGAL4/+;UAS- apΔHD/+ flies produces a dominant wing phenotype consisting of blisters (arrow) and margin defects (arrowhead). (B) The dominant phenotype of UAS-apΔHD is suppressed completely with a single UAS-ap transgene (genotype = apGAL4/+;UAS-apΔHD/UAS-ap). (C) apGAL4/apts78j flies have wings with blisters (arrow) and margin defects (arrowhead) when raised at 25°C. (D) Introduction of a single UAS-apΔHD transgene into apGAL4/apts78j individuals raised at 25°C (genotype = apGAL4/apts78j;UAS-apΔHD/+) eliminates the wings altogether (arrow), mimicking the ap null mutant phenotype. (E) A single UAS-islΔHD transgene also disrupts wing formation in apGAL4/+ individuals, causing blistering and loss of margins (arrow). (F) The UAS-islΔHD dominant phenotype is suppressed completely with a UAS-ap transgene (genotype = apGAL4/+;UAS-islΔHD/UAS-ap).

Fig. 4.

Expression of LIM domains disrupts ap function in the developing wing. (A) Expression of ApΔHD in apGAL4/+;UAS- apΔHD/+ flies produces a dominant wing phenotype consisting of blisters (arrow) and margin defects (arrowhead). (B) The dominant phenotype of UAS-apΔHD is suppressed completely with a single UAS-ap transgene (genotype = apGAL4/+;UAS-apΔHD/UAS-ap). (C) apGAL4/apts78j flies have wings with blisters (arrow) and margin defects (arrowhead) when raised at 25°C. (D) Introduction of a single UAS-apΔHD transgene into apGAL4/apts78j individuals raised at 25°C (genotype = apGAL4/apts78j;UAS-apΔHD/+) eliminates the wings altogether (arrow), mimicking the ap null mutant phenotype. (E) A single UAS-islΔHD transgene also disrupts wing formation in apGAL4/+ individuals, causing blistering and loss of margins (arrow). (F) The UAS-islΔHD dominant phenotype is suppressed completely with a UAS-ap transgene (genotype = apGAL4/+;UAS-islΔHD/UAS-ap).

We further tested whether ApΔHD could modify the phenotypes of an intermediate ap hypomorphic allelic combination. The apts78j temperature-sensitive allele has nearly normal wing morphology when raised at 15°C, but completely lacks all wing structures at 29°C (Wilson, 1981). When raised at 18°C, apGAL4/apts78j flies have defective wing margins and unfused wing surfaces (Fig. 4C), a phenotype similar to the apΔHD dominant effect in an apGAL4/+ heterozygous background. Introduction of the UAS-apΔHD transgene into this hypomorphic mutant background at 18°C (genotype = apts78j/apGAL4; UAS-apΔHD/+) eliminates the wing blade altogether (Fig. 4D). Therefore, in a genetic background in which ap functional levels are lowered sufficiently, expression of the ApΔHD variant mimics the null mutant phenotype.

The same dominant effect on wing development is also observed using a HD-deleted version of Islet (Isl), a different LIM-HD protein normally not expressed in the wing disc (Thor and Thomas, 1997). In apGAL4/+ individuals carrying a UAS- islΔHD transgene, wing structure is severely disrupted (Fig. 4E). As found for ApΔHD, the IslΔHD dominant effect is suppressed by the addition of full-length Ap with a UAS-ap transgene (Fig. 4F). Thus, the ability to act as a dominant- negative inhibitor of Ap function in the wing is not restricted to the Ap LIM domains.

In contrast to the wing, neither ApΔHD nor IslΔHD has any dominant effects on the development of the ap neurons within the CNS. This suggests that for these two developmental processes, generation of wing structures and axon pathfinding, there are differences in the protein interactions involving the Ap LIM domains.

Ap and Lim3 are not interchangeable

The above results establish that the LIM domains are essential for Ap function. We next tested whether the LIM domains of a different LIM-HD family member might be interchangeable with those of Ap. For these studies we chose Drosophila Lim3, which is normally expressed in subsets of post-mitotic neurons, none of which co-express Ap (S. T., S. G. E. Andersson, A. Tomlinson and J.B.T., unpublished). Conservation of LIM domain sequence within the LIM-HD family ranges from 25% to 86% aa identity. Ap and Lim3 are relatively divergent, sharing only 37% identity within the LIM domains.

Expression of Lim3 in Ap cells results in lethality during larval or early pupal stages. To circumvent these lethal effects we raised individuals carrying both apGAL4 and UAS-lim3 at 18°C to reduce levels of GAL4-mediated transactivation (Staehling-Hampton et al., 1994). At this temperature a small number of apGAL4/apP44; UAS-lim3/+ individuals emerge and these flies have small outgrowths of tissue in the hinge region of the thorax (Fig. 5A). Although unstructured, the presence of a row of bristles on this tissue suggests the development of a rudimentary dorsal/ventral margin, and indicates that Lim3 can partially rescue the ap wing phenotype.

Fig. 5.

LIM domains are interchangeable for wing formation but not axon pathfinding of the Ap neurons. Pairs of panels show the wing and embryonic CNS phenotypes of apGAL4/apP44 mutant individuals carrying a single copy of the UAS transgene denoted. To visualize the Ap neurons in the CNS, a UAS-tau-lacZ reporter transgene was included. (A,B) A UAS-lim3 transgene partially rescues both the wing (genotype = UAS-lim3/+;apGAL4/apP44) and CNS ap phenotypes. The wings are stunted and devoid of normal veination, but do have a rudimentary margin marked by a bristle row (arrow) (A). Within the CNS, the Ap neurons are more highly fasciculated than in apGAL4/apP44 individuals, but still exhibit numerous pathfinding errors (arrowheads, B). (C,D) Lim3:Ap, a fusion of the Lim3 LIM domain to the Ap homeodomain, rescues the ap wing phenotype to the same extent as full-length Ap (genotype = apGAL4/apP44;UAS-lim3:ap/+) (C), but only partially rescues the CNS phenotype, to an extent indistinguishable from UAS-lim3. Arrowheads point to defasciculation (top) and midline crossing (bottom) pathfinding errors(D). Quantitation of the CNS phenotypes are shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 5.

LIM domains are interchangeable for wing formation but not axon pathfinding of the Ap neurons. Pairs of panels show the wing and embryonic CNS phenotypes of apGAL4/apP44 mutant individuals carrying a single copy of the UAS transgene denoted. To visualize the Ap neurons in the CNS, a UAS-tau-lacZ reporter transgene was included. (A,B) A UAS-lim3 transgene partially rescues both the wing (genotype = UAS-lim3/+;apGAL4/apP44) and CNS ap phenotypes. The wings are stunted and devoid of normal veination, but do have a rudimentary margin marked by a bristle row (arrow) (A). Within the CNS, the Ap neurons are more highly fasciculated than in apGAL4/apP44 individuals, but still exhibit numerous pathfinding errors (arrowheads, B). (C,D) Lim3:Ap, a fusion of the Lim3 LIM domain to the Ap homeodomain, rescues the ap wing phenotype to the same extent as full-length Ap (genotype = apGAL4/apP44;UAS-lim3:ap/+) (C), but only partially rescues the CNS phenotype, to an extent indistinguishable from UAS-lim3. Arrowheads point to defasciculation (top) and midline crossing (bottom) pathfinding errors(D). Quantitation of the CNS phenotypes are shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 6.

Quantitation of axon pathfinding data. Each embryonic segment was scored either as fasciculated or defasciculated. Fasciculated segments contained only two bundles of axons with no axons crossing the midline or choosing a separate pathway. For each embryo, all eight abdominal segments were scored and the percentage of fasciculated segments was calculated. An average of 12 embryos were examined for each genotype (minimum = 9). Asterisks denote a statistically significant improvement in axon fasciculation compared to the apGAL4/apP44/genotype (P?≤0.05, Student’s t-test). Error bars indicate standard error of the mean.

Fig. 6.

Quantitation of axon pathfinding data. Each embryonic segment was scored either as fasciculated or defasciculated. Fasciculated segments contained only two bundles of axons with no axons crossing the midline or choosing a separate pathway. For each embryo, all eight abdominal segments were scored and the percentage of fasciculated segments was calculated. An average of 12 embryos were examined for each genotype (minimum = 9). Asterisks denote a statistically significant improvement in axon fasciculation compared to the apGAL4/apP44/genotype (P?≤0.05, Student’s t-test). Error bars indicate standard error of the mean.

Although non-viable at 25°C, apGAL4/apP44; UAS-lim3/+ embryos survive through embryonic stages, allowing us to examine the behavior of the ap mutant interneurons ectopically expressing Lim3. Using the UAS-tau-lacZ transgene, we found that Lim3 partially rescues the ap neuronal pathfinding defects (Figs 5B, 6). The axons are more highly fasciculated than those in ap mutants, but 74% of the segments still display clear pathfinding errors. Thus, although Lim3 promotes some degree of axon fasciculation and the formation of a rudimentary wing margin in ap mutants, it is not interchangeable with Ap.

LIM domains are interchangeable for wing formation but not axon pathfinding

To determine whether LIM domains are interchangeable between Lim3 and Ap, we created a fusion between the N-terminal half of Lim3, including the LIM domains, to the C- terminal half of Ap, containing the homeodomain (Fig. 2). This Lim3:Ap chimera, rescues the ap wing phenotype to the same extent as full-length Ap (Fig. 5C). apGAL4/apP44; UAS- lim3:ap/+ flies emerge at a high frequency, and their wings are of appropriate size and shape, displaying wild-type vein patterns and wing margins. The wings rescued with the Lim3:Ap chimera are held away from the body, revealing the same mild hinge defect seen with UAS-ap. Both the sterility and uncoordinated behavior of apGAL4/apP44 individuals also can be rescued with UAS-lim3:ap.

In contrast to its ability to rescue the wing phenotype, the Lim3:Ap chimera only partially rescues the axon pathfinding phenotype. The level of rescue seen with the Lim3:Ap chimera is not significantly different from Lim3 itself (Figs 5D, 6). Thus, despite their sequence divergence, the Ap and Lim3 LIM domains are interchangeable in the generation of normal wing structure, but not in the control of pathfinding of the Ap neurons, revealing a functional difference between the Ap and Lim3 LIM domains.

The Ap LIM domains are essential for function

Although the ability of LIM domains to interact with other proteins has been clearly established in vitro and in cultured cells, their in vivo role is unknown. Within the LIM-HD family, it has been suggested that LIM domains function to negatively regulate LIM-HD activity by interfering with the ability of the homeodomain to bind DNA. This model is based primarily on two observations. First, LIM-less versions of Islet-1 and Mec- 3 bind target DNA sequences more effectively in vitro than the full length proteins (Sanchez-Garcia et al., 1993; Xue et al., 1993). Second, site-directed mutagenesis of the LIM domains of Xlim-1 potentiates its ability to form secondary axes when misexpressed in Xenopus embryos (Taira et al., 1994). However, our genetic data indicate that negative regulation of LIM-HD function is not the primary role for the LIM domains. LIM-less versions of Ap clearly do not act as activated forms of the protein, as the Xlim-1 data might predict, but instead are incapable of mediating any discernible ap function within the wing disc or CNS.

LIM domains act as dominant negative factors in the wing

Not only does expression of apΔHD fail to rescue the ap mutant phenotype, but it disrupts normal ap function in the wing disc. This result supports previous studies in which overexpression of Islet-3 LIM domains was found to disrupt eye and tectal development in the zebrafish embryo, presumably due to a dominant-negative effect of the LIM domains on Islet-3 function (Kikuchi et al., 1997). Our finding that IslΔHD was just as effective in disrupting ap function as ApΔHD suggests that in some circumstances LIM domains show little or no specificity when interfering with LIM-HD function. The most likely explanation for this lack of specificity is that the Ap LIM domains normally mediate a functional complex with Chip (Morcillo et al., 1997). Extrapolating from studies of NLI binding (Jurata et al., 1996), Chip is likely to be capable of binding the LIM domains of most, if not all, LIM-HD proteins. Thus we would predict that in addition to IslΔHD, a ΔHD variant of any family member would compete with full length Ap for binding to Chip and prevent formation of a functional complex.

Why do we not see a dominant effect of ApΔHD and IslΔHD in the CNS? One possibility is that Chip or Ap (or both) are expressed at sufficiently high levels in the Ap neurons that they are refractory to the levels of ApΔHD driven by apGAL4. Alternatively, Ap function in axon pathfinding may require other, non-Chip-dependent interactions that are unaltered by ApΔHD. The latter possibility is supported by the finding that the LIM domain-dependent synergism exhibited by Lmx-1 and E47 in transcriptional activation cannot be abolished by overexpressing LIM domains (German et al., 1992).

Ap and Lim3 are not interchangeable

While there is a clear difference in the ability of Ap and Lim3 to rescue the ap mutant phenotype, Lim3 is capable of partial rescue. In ap mutants, Lim3 can induce a wing-like structure with an irregular margin and unfused dorsal and ventral surfaces. In the CNS, Lim3 enables Ap mutant interneurons to fasciculate more tightly. This result is surprising given the divergence between the two family members (only 37% aa identity within the LIM domains and 46% within the homeodomain). Although the molecular basis for this partial rescue remains unknown, there are two extremes among the various possibilities. First, when expressed in Ap cells, Lim3 may regulate those genes normally regulated by Ap, albeit not as effectively. However, it seems unlikely that Lim3 regulates exactly the same set of genes as Ap since individuals that misexpress high levels of Lim3 using apGAL4 (at 25°C) are completely non-viable, while individuals expressing high levels of full-length Ap under identical conditions are viable. The other extreme predicts that Lim3 regulates an entirely different set of effector target genes, but that these effectors serve similar functions and are sufficient to give some degree of phenotypic rescue. For example, within the CNS, Ap and Lim3 control specific pathfinding behaviors of neurons that normally express them, presumably by regulating the expression of distinct sets of cell recognition molecules (Lundgren et al., 1995; S. T., S. G. E. Andersson, A. Tomlinson and J. B. T., unpublished). Thus it is conceivable that both LIM-HD members regulate similar types of target genes involved in controlling pathway recognition and axon fasciculation.

Specificity of LIM domains

Our results with the Lim3:Ap chimera demonstrate that in the developing wing the LIM domains of Ap and Lim3 are completely interchangeable. The simplest explanation for this interchangeability is that the primary function of the Ap LIM domains is to bind Chip. Thus, any nuclear LIM domain would be able to carry out this function. Based on studies of Chip and NLI (Morcillo et al., 1997; Jurata et al., 1998), we predict that in the developing wing Ap forms Chip-mediated homodimers or possibly heterodimers with another, as yet unidentified LIM- HD family member (Fig. 7A).

Fig. 7.

Model of protein interactions mediated by the Ap LIM domains. (A) Our data suggests that during wing formation the primary function of the Ap LIM domains is to interact with Chip. This interaction is required since ApΔLIM fails to rescue the ap wing phenotype and it can be disrupted by the expression of LIM domains alone. The Lim3:Ap chimera rescues the wing phenotype to the same extent as full length Ap, likely because the Lim3 LIM domains also bind Chip. Thus, interchanging the LIM domains has no effect on formation of the Ap-Chip complex in the generation of wing structure. (B) During pathfinding of the Ap neurons, the Ap LIM domains are involved in additional protein interactions independent of Chip. These interactions are specific to the Ap LIM domains and cannot be mediated by the Lim3 LIM domains. Taken together, this data suggests that LIM domains mediate different types of protein interactions in different developmental processes.

Fig. 7.

Model of protein interactions mediated by the Ap LIM domains. (A) Our data suggests that during wing formation the primary function of the Ap LIM domains is to interact with Chip. This interaction is required since ApΔLIM fails to rescue the ap wing phenotype and it can be disrupted by the expression of LIM domains alone. The Lim3:Ap chimera rescues the wing phenotype to the same extent as full length Ap, likely because the Lim3 LIM domains also bind Chip. Thus, interchanging the LIM domains has no effect on formation of the Ap-Chip complex in the generation of wing structure. (B) During pathfinding of the Ap neurons, the Ap LIM domains are involved in additional protein interactions independent of Chip. These interactions are specific to the Ap LIM domains and cannot be mediated by the Lim3 LIM domains. Taken together, this data suggests that LIM domains mediate different types of protein interactions in different developmental processes.

In contrast, our analysis of the Lim3:Ap chimera in the CNS indicates that the Ap and Lim3 LIM domains are not interchangeable. While full-length Ap fully rescues the ap pathfinding phenotype, Lim3:Ap shows only partial rescue, to an extent no greater than Lim3 itself. This result suggests that there are functional differences between LIM domains, a notion supported by the finding that LIM domains of different LIM-HD family members show specificity in their ability to bind other proteins (e.g., Jurata et al., 1998). Whereas Ap-Chip complexes may be sufficient to regulate target genes in the wing disc, in the Ap neurons it is likely that additional interactions with other factors are required for full Ap function, and that these interactions are specific to the Ap LIM domains (Fig. 7B).

Our findings support the notion that interactions among transcription factors play critical roles in the specificity of target gene regulation (Xue et al., 1993; Copeland et al., 1996; Guichet et al., 1997; Yu et al., 1997; Zelzer et al., 1997). For example, within the bHLH/PAS family of transcription factors, it is the protein-interacting PAS domain and not the DNA binding domain which dictates target specificity (Zelzer et al., 1997). It has also been shown that a homeodomain-deleted version of the Fushi tarazu (Ftz) protein is capable of regulating ftz-dependent segmentation, presumably through interactions with other transcription factors such as the pair-rule protein Paired (Copeland et al., 1996) or the nuclear hormone receptor Ftz-F1 (Guichet et al., 1997; Yu et al., 1997). Our analysis of the LIM-HD protein Apterous further underscores the importance of protein-protein interactions in transcription factor function, and suggests that LIM domains are involved in different types of protein-protein interactions in different developmental processes.

We thank Andrew Tomlinson for providing the lim-3 cDNA; Rusty Gage and Dan Peterson for help with confocal imaging; Don Van Meyel and Greg Lemke for critical reading of the manuscript; Linda Jurata and Gordon Gill for insightful discussions; the members of the Thomas lab for providing advice, technical support and good humor; Karolyn Ronzano for her contributions beyond measure; and Blanca in San Felipe for all the delicious fish tacos. This work was supported by an NIH Training Grant to D. D. O’K., grants from the NIH to J. B. T. and a Human Frontiers Science Program Long-term Fellowship to S. T.

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