Spatial and temporal distribution of Patched-related protein in the Drosophila embryo

Publication date: Available online 23 October 2015 Source:Gene Expression Patterns Author(s): Carmen Bolatto, Cristina Parada, Fiorella Revello, Alejandro Zuñiga, Pablo Cabrera, Verónica Cambiazo Patched-related (Ptr) encodes a protein with 12 potential transmembrane domains and a sterol-sensing domain that is closely related in predicted topology and domain organization to Patched, the canonical receptor of the Hedgehog pathway. Here we describe the production of an antibody specific for Drosophila Ptr and analyze its spatial and temporal distribution in the embryo. We find that at early developmental stages Ptr is predominantly localized at cell periphery but later on it becomes strongly and almost exclusively expressed in hemocytes. Interestingly Ptr null mutant embryos died without hatching. Our findings suggest that Ptr plays an essential function in Drosophila development, perhaps as a new receptor of embryonic hemocytes.

Source: Gene Expression Patterns - October 24, 2015 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research