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Evolutionary changes in TGF? distribution underlie morphological diversity in eggshells from Drosophila species.

ABSTRACT: Drosophila eggshells display remarkable morphological diversity among species; however, the molecular origin of this structural diversification is mostly unknown. Here, we analyzed the dorsal ridge (DR), a lumen-like structure along the dorsal side of eggshells, from numerous Drosophila species. This structure varies in length and width across species, and is absent from D. melanogaster eggshells. We associated DR formation with distinct spatiotemporal changes in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation, which acts as a key receptor in eggshell patterning. We show that changes in the distribution of the TGF?-like ligand Gurken (GRK), a crucial ligand for axis formation, underlies EGFR activation and DR formation in D. willistoni. Furthermore, we demonstrate that GRK from D. willistoni rescues a grk-null D. melanogaster fly and, remarkably, it is also sufficient to generate a DR-like structure on its eggshell.

SUBMITTER: Niepielko MG

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4299280 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Evolutionary changes in TGFα distribution underlie morphological diversity in eggshells from Drosophila species.

Niepielko Matthew G MG Yakoby Nir N

Development (Cambridge, England) 20141201 24

Drosophila eggshells display remarkable morphological diversity among species; however, the molecular origin of this structural diversification is mostly unknown. Here, we analyzed the dorsal ridge (DR), a lumen-like structure along the dorsal side of eggshells, from numerous Drosophila species. This structure varies in length and width across species, and is absent from D. melanogaster eggshells. We associated DR formation with distinct spatiotemporal changes in epidermal growth factor receptor ...[more]

PMID: 25468939

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