Genetic Analysis of the Bone Morphogenetic Protein-Related Gene, gbb, Identifies Multiple Requirements During Drosophila Development

Corresponding author: Kristi A. Wharton, Division of Biology and Medicine–MCB, Brown University, Box G-J160, Providence, RI 02912., kristi_wharton{at}brown.edu (E-mail)

Communicating editor: V. G. FINNERTY

We have isolated mutations in the Drosophila melanogaster gene glass bottom boat (gbb), which encodes a TGF-ß signaling molecule (formerly referred to as 60A) with highest sequence similarity to members of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) subgroup including vertebrate BMPs 5–8. Genetic analysis of both null and hypomorphic gbb alleles indicates that the gene is required in many developmental processes, including embryonic midgut morphogenesis, patterning of the larval cuticle, fat body morphology, and development and patterning of the imaginal discs. In the embryonic midgut, we show that gbb is required for the formation of the anterior constriction and for maintenance of the homeotic gene Antennapedia in the visceral mesoderm. In addition, we show a requirement for gbb in the anterior and posterior cells of the underlying endoderm and in the formation and extension of the gastric caecae. gbb is required in all the imaginal discs for proper disc growth and for specification of veins in the wing and of macrochaete in the notum. Significantly, some of these tissues have been shown to also require the Drosophila BMP2/4 homolog decapentaplegic (dpp), while others do not. These results indicate that signaling by both gbb and dpp may contribute to the development of some tissues, while in others, gbb may signal independently of dpp.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L. G. Fradkin, R. A. Baines, M. C. van der Plas, and J. N. Noordermeer The Dystrophin Dp186 Isoform Regulates Neurotransmitter Release at a Central Synapse in Drosophila J. Neurosci., May 7, 2008; 28(19): 5105 - 5114. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. S. Hekmat-Scafe, M. Y. Lundy, R. Ranga, and M. A. Tanouye Mutations in the K+/Cl- Cotransporter Gene kazachoc (kcc) Increase Seizure Susceptibility in Drosophila. J. Neurosci., August 30, 2006; 26(35): 8943 - 8954. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. B. O'Connor, D. Umulis, H. G. Othmer, and S. S. Blair Shaping BMP morphogen gradients in the Drosophila embryo and pupal wing Development, January 15, 2006; 133(2): 183 - 193. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Serpe, A. Ralston, S. S. Blair, and M. B. O'Connor Matching catalytic activity to developmental function: Tolloid-related processes Sog in order to help specify the posterior crossvein in the Drosophila wing Development, June 1, 2005; 132(11): 2645 - 2656. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. A. Baines Synaptic Strengthening Mediated by Bone Morphogenetic Protein-Dependent Retrograde Signaling in the Drosophila CNS J. Neurosci., August 4, 2004; 24(31): 6904 - 6911. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				O. Cook, B. Biehs, and E. Bier brinker and optomotor-blind act coordinately to initiate development of the L5 wing vein primordium in Drosophila Development, May 1, 2004; 131(9): 2113 - 2124. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Marques, T. E. Haerry, M. L. Crotty, M. Xue, B. Zhang, and M. B. O'Connor Retrograde Gbb signaling through the Bmp type 2 receptor Wishful Thinking regulates systemic FMRFa expression in Drosophila Development, November 15, 2003; 130(22): 5457 - 5470. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. P. Ray and K. A. Wharton Context-dependent relationships between the BMPs gbb and dpp during development of the Drosophila wing imaginal disk Development, October 15, 2001; 128(20): 3913 - 3925. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. A. Su, R. G. Wisotzkey, and S. J. Newfeld A Screen for Modifiers of decapentaplegic Mutant Phenotypes Identifies lilliputian, the Only Member of the Fragile-X/Burkitt's Lymphoma Family of Transcription Factors in Drosophila melanogaster Genetics, February 1, 2001; 157(2): 717 - 725. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				B. Ohlstein, C. A. Lavoie, O. Vef, E. Gateff, and D. M. McKearin The Drosophila Cystoblast Differentiation Factor, benign gonial cell neoplasm, Is Related to DExH-box Proteins and Interacts Genetically With bag-of-marbles Genetics, August 1, 2000; 155(4): 1809 - 1819. [Abstract] [Full Text]