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. 1997 Jun;146(2):619–628. doi: 10.1093/genetics/146.2.619

Ras1-Mediated Modulation of Drosophila Homeotic Function in Cell and Segment Identity

M Boube 1, C Benassayag 1, L Seroude 1, D L Cribbs 1
PMCID: PMC1208002  PMID: 9178011

Abstract

Mutations of the Drosophila homeotic proboscipedia gene (pb; the Hox-A2/B2 homologue) provoke dose-sensitive defects. These were used to search for dose-sensitive dominant modifiers of pb function. Two identified interacting genes were the proto-oncogene Ras1 and its functional antagonist Gap1, prominent intermediaries in known signal transduction pathways. Ras1(+) is a positive modifier of pb activity both in normal and ectopic cell contexts, while the Ras1-antagonist Gap1 has an opposite effect. A general role for Ras1 in homeotic function is likely, since Ras1(+) activity also modulates functions of the homeotic loci Sex combs reduced and Ultrabithorax. Our data suggest that the modulation occurs by a mechanism independent of transcriptional control of the homeotic loci themselves, or of the Ras1/Gap1 genes. Taken together our data support a role for Ras1-mediated cell signaling in the homeotic control of segmental differentiation.

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Selected References

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