Figure 2.

Genetic manipulation of the escargot-miR-8 balance alters the spatial and timing control of progenitor's differentiation. A-E) Esg-ReDDM analysis of escargot and miR-8 loss and gain of function conditions compared to wild type controls at the indicated time points. A'-E') cartoons summarizing the tissue replenishment phenotype of these genetic conditions. Red represent a renewed ‘patch’ of tissue, blue non-renewed parts. A-A') Tissue replenishment in controls occurs by patches (dashed red line outlines a discrete patche of new ECs) while downregulation of Esg (B-B') or overexpression of miR-8 (D-D') lead to increased and homogeneous replenishment pattern. Gain of function of Esg (C-C') leads to total block of replenishment leading to tumors in 40% of flies (as show in the inset panel). Loss of function of miR-8 (E-E') by the miR-8 sponge (mir-8sp) construct overexpression leads to a comparable phenotype to the Esg gain of function, but no tumor formation within 2 weeks of ReDDM tracing. Scale bar = 100uM.