puckered (puc) encodes a VH1-like phosphatase that down-regulates Jun kinase (JNK) activity during dorsal closure of the Drosophila embryo. We report a role for puc in follicle cell morphogenesis during oogenesis. puc mRNA accumulates preferentially in the centripetally migrating follicle cells and cells of the elongating dorsal appendages. Proper levels of Puc activity in the follicle cells are critical for the production of a normal egg: either reduced or increased Puc activity result in incomplete nurse cell dumping and aberrant dorsal appendages. Phenotypes associated with puc mutant follicle cells include altered DE-cadherin expression in the follicle cells and a failure of nurse cell dumping to coordinate with dorsal appendage elongation, leading to the formation of cup-shaped egg chambers. The JNK pathway target A251-lacZ showed cell-type-specific differences in its regulation by puc and by the small GTPase DRac1. puc mutant cells displayed region-specific ectopic expression of the A251-lacZ enhancer trap whereas overexpression of a transgene encoding Puc was sufficient to suppress lacZ expression in a cell autonomous fashion. Strikingly, decreased or increased puc function leads to a corresponding increase or decrease, respectively, of Fos and Jun protein levels. Taken together, these data indicate that puc modulates gene expression responses by antagonizing a Ρ GTPase signal transduction pathway that stabilizes the AP-1 transcription factor. Consistent with this, overexpression of a dominant negative DRac1 resulted in lower levels of Fos/Jun.
Drosophila puckered regulates Fos/Jun levels during follicle cell morphogenesis
L.L. Dobens, E. Martin-Blanco, A. Martinez-Arias, F.C. Kafatos, L.A. Raftery; Drosophila puckered regulates Fos/Jun levels during follicle cell morphogenesis. Development 15 May 2001; 128 (10): 1845–1856. doi: https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.128.10.1845
Download citation file:
Advertisement
Cited by
Development presents...
Our successful webinar series continues in 2021, with early-career researchers presenting their papers and a chance to virtually network with the developmental biology community afterwards. Here, Krisztina Ötvös tells us about the role link between nitrogen, auxin and root cell divisions.
Save your spot at our next session:
14 April
Time: 17:00 BST
Chaired by: François Guillemot
Join our mailing list to receive news and updates on the series.
The people behind the papers - Vincent Mouilleau, Célia Vaslin and Stéphane Nedelec
First authors, Vincent Mouilleau and Célia Vaslin, and their supervisor Stéphane Nedelec, talk about their latest work on HOX regulation, its potential clinical impact and where the story will take the Nedelec lab.
Special issue: call for papers
The Immune System in Development and Regeneration
Guest editors: Florent Ginhoux and Paul Martin
Submission deadline: 1 September 2021
Publication: Spring 2022
Upcoming grant deadlines
Grants awarded by The Company of Biologists help scientists travel, attend events and host sustainable activities. Make a note of the upcoming application deadlines and find out more about the grants on offer:
Sustainable Conferencing Grants
17 May 2021
Travelling Fellowships
31 May 2021
Scientific Meeting Grants
4 June 2021