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Genetics, Vol. 156, 733-748, October 2000, Copyright © 2000

Identification of Genomic Regions That Interact With a Viable Allele of the Drosophila Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Corkscrew

Lucy Firtha, Jebecka Manchesterb, James A. Lorenzenb, Martin Baron1,a, and Lizabeth A. Perkins1,b
a Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, England
b Pediatric Surgical Research Laboratories, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114

Corresponding author: Lizabeth A. Perkins, Pediatric Surgical Research Labs, Warren 10, Massachusetts General Hospital, 32 Fruit St., Boston, MA 02114., perkins{at}helix.mgh.harvard.edu (E-mail)

Communicating editor: T. SCHÜPBACH


*  ABSTRACT
*TOP
*ABSTRACT
*MATERIALS AND METHODS
*RESULTS
*DISCUSSION
*LITERATURE CITED

Signaling by receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) is critical for a multitude of developmental decisions and processes. Among the molecules known to transduce the RTK-generated signal is the nonreceptor protein tyrosine phosphatase Corkscrew (Csw). Previously, Csw has been demonstrated to function throughout the Drosophila life cycle and, among the RTKs tested, Csw is essential in the Torso, Sevenless, EGF, and Breathless/FGF RTK pathways. While the biochemical function of Csw remains to be unambiguously elucidated, current evidence suggests that Csw plays more than one role during transduction of the RTK signal and, further, the molecular mechanism of Csw function differs depending upon the RTK in question. The isolation and characterization of a new, spontaneously arising, viable allele of csw, cswlf, has allowed us to undertake a genetic approach to identify loci required for Csw function. The rough eye and wing vein gap phenotypes exhibited by adult flies homo- or hemizygous for cswlf has provided a sensitized background from which we have screened a collection of second and third chromosome deficiencies to identify 33 intervals that enhance and 21 intervals that suppress these phenotypes. We have identified intervals encoding known positive mediators of RTK signaling, e.g., drk, dos, Egfr, E(Egfr)B56, pnt, Ras1, rolled/MAPK, sina, spen, Src64B, Star, Su(Raf)3C, and vein, as well as known negative mediators of RTK signaling, e.g., aos, ed, net, Src42A, sty, and su(ve). Of particular interest are the 5 lethal enhancing intervals and 14 suppressing intervals for which no candidate genes have been identified.


RECEPTOR tyrosine kinases (RTKs) control a number of diverse cellular processes including growth, differentiation, migration, and viability (reviewed in VAN DER GEER et al. 1994 Down). The primary function of a cell surface receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) is the conversion of extracellular information into a biological signal that is often transduced into the nucleus where it modulates the activity of transcription factors. Identification of the molecules involved in the transduction signal initiated from activated RTKs has led to the realization that all RTKs share common signaling components. This conserved signaling cassette permits the transmission of instructive data in a wide variety of developmental contexts leading to a range of different responses (PERRIMON and PERKINS 1997 Down).

A combination of genetic and biochemical data has led to the following model of RTK signal transduction. Upon activation by a ligand, the RTK becomes autophosphorylated on specific tyrosyl residues. The adapter protein GRB-2 (Downstream of receptor kinase, Drk) then binds the activated receptor via its SH2 domain, leaving two SH3 domains to associate with Son of Sevenless (Sos), a ubiquitously expressed Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factor (OLIVER et al. 1993 Down; SIMON et al. 1993 Down). The formation of the Drk:Sos complex results in the relocalization of Sos to the cell plasma membrane where it promotes the exchange of GDP to GTP on Ras, thereby inducing a conformational change that activates Ras. The GTPase activating protein (Gap1) stimulates the hydrolysis activity of Ras, causing it to hydrolyze GTP for GDP and switch off the signal (GAUL et al. 1992 Down). The cycling between these two states is essential for signal relay to proceed in a regulated fashion. Activation of Ras1 serves as a molecular switch, which leads to the activation of a kinase cascade that includes Raf, a serine/threonine specific protein kinase, MAPKK (MEK) a dual specific tyrosine/threonine kinase, and the serine/threonine kinase MAPK (ERK). Once activated, MAPK homodimerizes and is imported into the nucleus (FUKUDA et al. 1997 Down; KHOKHLATCHEV et al. 1998 Down) where it phosphorylates target nuclear proteins that initiate transcription, the ultimate goal of the signaling pathway.

A further component of RTK signaling pathways in Drosophila is Corkscrew (Csw), a cytoplasmic, nonreceptor protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP; PERKINS et al. 1992 Down), which is the functional homologue of the vertebrate protein SHP-2 (PERKINS et al. 1996 Down). Csw was first identified as a downstream positive mediator of the signal from the Torso (Tor) RTK as loss-of-function csw mutations were found to suppress the gain-of-function phenotypes of tor (PERKINS et al. 1992 Down). The phenotypes of csw mutations are similar to mutations in other RTKs, suggesting that the Tor RTK is not alone in using Csw to positively transduce its signal. Loss-of-function phenotypes generated by a dominant negative mutation in the Drosophila epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were enhanced by a decrease in the activity of csw, thus placing Csw within the EGFR signaling pathway (PERKINS et al. 1996 Down). Csw activity has also been shown to be involved in the transduction of the signal from the Drosophila fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor, Breathless (Btl; PERKINS et al. 1996 Down) as well as the Sevenless (Sev) RTK (ALLARD et al. 1996 Down).

While a role for Csw in the RTK signaling cassette has been clearly demonstrated, the biochemical function of Csw remains to be unambiguously elucidated. Current evidence suggests that Csw plays more than one role during transduction of the RTK signal and, further, the molecular mechanism of Csw function differs depending upon the RTK in question (PERKINS et al. 1992 Down, PERKINS et al. 1996 Down; ALLARD et al. 1996 Down, ALLARD et al. 1998 Down; CLEGHON et al. 1996 Down, CLEGHON et al. 1998 Down; HERBST et al. 1996 Down). In the Tor signaling pathway, upon activation, most likely by the ligand Trunk (CASANOVA et al. 1995 Down; FURRIOLS et al. 1998 Down), the RTK is phosphorylated at two major sites, tyrosine 630, Y630, and tyrosine 918, Y918. Mutational analysis has revealed that Csw interacts with phosphorylated Y630 through one of its SH2 domains. Upon this interaction Csw becomes tyrosine phosphorylated at Y666, the residue through which it interacts with the SH2 domain of the adapter protein Drk. Significantly, Drk does not interact with Tor, supporting the current model that Tor transmits its positive signal through Csw to Drk. Y918 of Tor, when phosphorylated, binds RasGap. Following Tor activation and recruitment of Csw to pY630, Csw is able to dephosphorylate pY918 and this presumably lowers the local concentration of RasGap and sustains the positive Tor signal by increasing the overall level of Ras activity (CLEGHON et al. 1996 Down, CLEGHON et al. 1998 Down).

Csw, therefore, plays at least two functions in the Tor pathway, as an adaptor protein for Drk and as a phosphatase to dephosphorylate the negative regulatory RasGap binding site. However, while the Csw:Tor interaction is dependent on RTK activation and tyrosine phosphorylation of the RTK, interaction between Csw and the Sev RTK is constitutive; that is, the Csw:Sev interaction is not activation dependent and does not require tyrosine phosphorylation (ALLARD et al. 1996 Down). These differing results support the idea that the molecular mechanism of Csw function differs depending upon the RTK under consideration.

For most RTKs the precise molecular mechanisms of function of Drosophila Csw and its homologues, nematode PTP-2 and vertebrate SHP-2, remain unclear; however, genetic experiments have shown that in nearly all cases these SH2-containing phosphatases serve positive functions during signal transduction (reviewed by VAN VACTOR et al. 1998 Down and HERTOG 1999 Down). While molecular data are lacking for PTP-2, both Csw and SHP-2 are known to interact, through their SH2 domains, with various RTKs and/or members of a family of membrane-targeting, scaffolding proteins such as DOS in Drosophila and Gab1, IRS-1, and FRS-2 in vertebrates (reviewed by VAN VACTOR et al. 1998 Down). Additionally, substrates for these SH2-containing phosphatases remain rather elusive. In Drosophila, two Csw substrates, Tor (CLEGHON et al. 1998 Down) and Dos (HERBST et al. 1996 Down), have been reported; however, it is likely many more substrates remain to be identified.

In this article we report the isolation and characterization of a new, spontaneously arising, viable allele of csw, which we designate cswlf. Adult homozygous cswlf flies exhibit rough eyes and a wing vein gap phenotype. Both of these phenotypes are consistent with the requirement of Csw in the Sev and EGFR pathways during eye development (ALLARD et al. 1996 Down) and the EGFR pathway during formation of wing veins (PERKINS et al. 1996 Down). The phenotypes exhibited by the cswlf mutation are not limited to imaginal development. Homozygous cswlf females lay ventralized eggs and embryos generated from females bearing cswlf germline clones exhibit a number of mutant phenotypes. Together, these results suggest that the cswlf mutant lesion is sufficient to compromise Csw function in a number of developmental processes that require RTK signaling. Finally, and reasoning that not all transducers and regulators of RTK signaling have been identified, we have identified, in a deficiency screen, autosomal regions that enhance or suppress the cswlf mutant background. To date, among the genomic regions that we have determined encode at least one gene capable of modifying the cswlf phenotype are several with no known components of RTK signaling.


*  MATERIALS AND METHODS
*TOP
*ABSTRACT
*MATERIALS AND METHODS
*RESULTS
*DISCUSSION
*LITERATURE CITED

Drosophila strains:
All flies were raised on standard Drosophila media at 25°. Chromosomes and mutations that are not described in the text, or below, can be found in FlyBase (FLYBASE 1999 Down).

To date, cswlf is the 10thcsw allele to be characterized. Unlike the other 9 alleles where csw mutant animals (csw-/Y) derived from heterozygous females (csw-/+) die during early pupal stages, cswlf is not required for viability. However, all 10 alleles exhibit similar fully penetrant maternal effect phenotypes on embryonic development; that is, all embryos derived from females that lack maternal activity for any of the csw alleles fail to hatch; we refer to these as csw mutant embryos.

Deficiency screen:
Males carrying deficiencies on the second and third chromosomes were crossed to cswlf/FM7. All progeny from this cross were genotyped and counted. Male progeny carrying both the cswlf mutation and the deficiency were scored for enhancement and suppression using three criteria: wing vein gaps, rough eye phenotype, and viability. The wing vein gaps of these flies were compared to that of males mutant for cswlf alone, and likewise for the rough eye phenotype. Viability was scored by comparing the number of males bearing cswlf and the deficiency to the number of males with cswlf and the balancer for that particular deficiency. In cases where cswlf/Y; Df/+ males were not obtained, we controlled for the possibility that the deficiency deleted a haplo-insufficient locus by determining whether the sibling FM7/Y; Df/+ males were present in expected numbers.

Phenotypic analysis of adult structures:
The eyes of live flies were examined in an Electroscan microscope under a wet vent chamber. Fixation and sectioning of the adult eyes were performed essentially as described in TOMLINSON and READY 1987 Down. Wings were mounted in Gary's Magic Mountant (ASHBURNER 1989 Down). All photomicrographs were acquired on a Zeiss Axioskop microscope using Improvision Openlab data capture software. Images were assembled using Adobe PhotoShop (Adobe Systems Inc., San Jose, CA) and Microsoft PowerPoint (Microsoft Corp.).

Production of csw germline mosaics:
cswlf germline clones were generated using the "dominant female sterile or FLP-DF5 technique" as previously described (CHOU and PERRIMON 1996 Down). Both null (csw-/Y) and paternally rescued (csw-/+) animals, derived from females lacking maternal csw activity during oogenesis, die during embryogenesis. To distinguish between these two classes of embryos, mosaic females possessing csw germline clones were crossed with males carrying FM7, ftz-lacZ/Y, a balancer chromosome that contains a lacZ gene under the control of the fushi-tarazu (ftz) promoter. The genotypes of embryos were determined by following the expression pattern of the lacZ gene, which was detected by its ß-galactosidase activity. Embryos without the lacZ marker are referred to as "null csw mutant embryos" since they lack both maternal and zygotic copies of the csw wild-type gene. Their siblings, which express the lacZ gene, are referred to as the "paternally rescued csw mutant embryos" since they lack only the maternal gene.

In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry:
In situ hybridization on whole-mount embryos using digoxigenin-labeled probes was performed according to TAUTZ and PFEIFLE 1989 Down. Single-stranded sense and antisense digoxygenin-containing DNA probes were prepared by the PCR labeling technique (N. PATEL, personal communication) using appropriate primers. Probes were prepared from plasmids containing the tailless (tll; PIGNONI et al. 1990 Down, PIGNONI et al. 1992 Down) and huckebein (hkb; WEIGEL et al. 1990 Down; BRONNER and JACKLE 1991 Down; BRONNER et al. 1994 Down) cDNAs. For visualization, embryos were dehydrated through an ethanol series and mounted in Euparol (Carolina Biological Supply).

For immunohistochemistry, embryos were fixed with 4% formaldehyde and immunostained according to MICHELSON 1994 Down except that the blocking step was omitted. The primary antibodies were to evenskipped (eve; 1:50; provided by N. Patel), Kruppel (Kr; 1: 300; provided by D. Kosman and J. Reinitz), pericardial cell antigen (PC; 1:3; provided by T. Volk), and 2A12 (1:10; provided by M. Krasnow and the Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank, Iowa City, IA). Biotin-conjugated secondary antibodies (BMB) were detected with the Vectastain Elite ABC kit (Vector Labs, Burlingame, CA) in combination with TSA-Indirect (New England Nuclear, Boston).

All embryos were analyzed and photographed with a Nikon FXA equipped with Nomarski optics. Larval cuticles were prepared in Hoyer's mountant as described by VAN DER MEER 1977 Down. Cuticles were examined using dark-field or phase contrast illumination.


*  RESULTS
*TOP
*ABSTRACT
*MATERIALS AND METHODS
*RESULTS
*DISCUSSION
*LITERATURE CITED

Isolation of the viable allele cswlf:
Previously all known alleles of the Drosophila gene csw have been found to be lethal at the early pupal stage. We have recently isolated a recessive, viable spontaneous mutation that exhibits reproducible rough eye and wing vein gap phenotypes (Fig 1, compare A and E with B and F). The mutation displays a degree of temperature sensitivity with stronger phenotypes displayed at higher temperatures (data not shown). Linkage analysis and deficiency/duplication mapping determined that the mutation is located to the distal tip of the X chromosome in the vicinity of the previously described corkscrew (csw) locus. When placed in trans to any of the other csw alleles the resulting csw-/cswlf females were largely nonviable. However, when occasional females did emerge they exhibited eye and wing phenotypes more severe than those observed in cswlf/cswlf females (data not shown). The phenotypes of the new mutation were completely rescued by expression of the cswwild type minigene under the control of its endogenous promoter (J. A. LORENZEN, M. MELNICK and L. A. PERKINS, unpublished results). This rescue, together with the complementation analysis, allowed us to conclude that the new mutation represents a reduced activity, viable allele of csw, which we have designated cswlf.



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Figure 1. The adult phenotypes of flies homo- or hemizygous for cswlf create a sensitized background from which suppressors and enhancers of the mutant phenotypes can be identified. Scanning electron micrographs, thin transverse sections of adult eyes, and adult wings are shown as follows: wild-type flies (A, E, and I) and homo- or hemizygous cswlf flies (B, F, and J) exhibit a rough eye phenotype (B) manifested by loss of photoreceptor R7 (J) and occasional loss of additional outer photoreceptors (see arrow J). Further, cswlf mutant flies also exhibit wing vein gaps, most frequently manifested in the distal regions of L5 and L2 (F) and occasional gaps in L4 (not shown). A cswlf mutant background was the starting point to identify genomic regions containing genes that either suppress (C, G, and K) or enhance (D, H, and L) the cswlf adult phenotypes.

Sections of the adult ommatidium reveal that the rough eye phenotype results from a loss of photoreceptors, commonly R7; however, there is also occasional loss of outer photoreceptors as well (Fig 1I and Fig J). These results further support a role for Csw in both the EGF (DER; TOP) and SEV RTK pathways (ALLARD et al. 1996 Down; PERKINS et al. 1996 Down).

Ovary and embryonic phenotypes of cswlf:
Under favorable culture conditions 10 to 15% of females from a balanced stock are homozygous for cswlf. These homozygous cswlf females are essentially sterile and only rarely produce fertilized eggs. The eggs from homozygous cswlf mothers have shells that are partially ventralized (Fig 2). This defect, previously demonstrated to be the result of Csw function in the Torpedo EGF RTK pathway during oogenesis (PERKINS et al. 1996 Down), is likely responsible for the high percentage of unfertilized eggs produced by the homozygous females.



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Figure 2. The eggshells from females homozygous for cswlf are partially ventralized. In wild type (A) paired dorsal appendages extend from the anterodorsal surface of the egg shell (or chorion). The dorsal appendages of eggshells homozygous for cswlf are partially fused (arrow in B); this ventralized phenotype is due to loss of dorsal eggshell fates and a concomitant expansion of ventral cell fates. This fusion, which partially or completely deletes the site of sperm entry into the oocyte, is the likely cause of the almost total sterility of females homozygous for cswlf. Both eggs are dorsal views and anterior is at the top.

Fertilized eggs are rarely obtained from homozygous cswlf mothers, so we chose to analyze cswlf mutant phenotypes during embryogenesis by producing cswlf germline clones using the FLP-DFS technique (CHOU and PERRIMON 1996 Down). All of these cswlf mutant embryos derived from females bearing cswlf germline clones mated to cswlf/Y males failed to hatch. While the cuticles of these embryos are largely like wild type (Fig 3A), mild defects, similar to those observed in stronger alleles of csw (partial fusion of denticle bands along the midline, mild twisting, incomplete germ band shortening), were frequently observed (Fig 3B).



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Figure 3. Embryos homozygous for cswlf exhibit phenotypes reminiscent of mutations in genes that function during RTK signaling. Homo- and hemizygous embryos derived from females bearing cswlf germline clones fail to hatch; however, the cuticles from these embryos resemble wild type (A) or exhibit mild curvature and occasional loss or mispositioned/extra denticles (arrow in B). Molecular probes were used to examine embryonic tissues whose development is dependent on signaling by RTKs. The cswlf lesion does not appear to affect signaling by the Torso RTK (C and D); however, tissues requiring the EGFR (E–H) and both the Btl and Htl FGFRs (I–L) are affected. Using the RNA expression patterns of tll (C) and hkb (D) to assay the effects of cswlf on Torso signaling, relative to the wild-type expression patterns, no discernible differences were observed [percentage egg length (EL) of tll in cswlf mutant embryos: 1, 13.3% (SD = 1.1; n = 23; wild type = 12.8% EL); 2, 78.0% EL (SD = 2.2; n = 23; wild type = 78.0% EL); 3, 88.6% EL (SD = 2.2; n = 23; wild type = 86.3% EL)] [percentage EL of hkb in cswlf mutant embryos: 1, 9.1% EL (SD = 0.43; n = 13; wild type = 9.4% EL); 2, 90.0% EL (SD = 1.0; n = 13; wild type = 89.3% EL). Using the protein expression patterns of Eve (E and F) and Kr (G and H) to assay the effects of cswlf on EGFR signaling in the developing mesoderm, defects were observed with both probes. At germ band elongation, in response to the EGFR pathway Eve is expressed, segmentally, in the precursors of both the DA1 larval muscle and pericardial cells (E). However, in cswlf mutant embryos (F), Eve expression is variably lost from these cells. As the germ band shortens, Kr, also in response to the EGFR, is expressed in the precursors of the abdominal VA2/#27 larval muscle. As is the case for the Eve positive precursor, the VA2/#27 muscle precursor is variably deleted from random segments (arrows in G and H). Kr is also a marker for other developing muscles that are variably deleted cswlf mutant embryos (arrowheads in G and H); however, RTK input has not been definitively established for these muscle precursors. Using the protein expression pattern of a pericardial cell antigen (YARNITZKY and VOLK 1995 Down; I and J) to assay the effects of cswlf on Htl signaling in the developing embryonic heart, relative to wild type (I) significant disruption and deletions of heart precursor cells were observed in cswlf mutant embryos. Finally, the protein expression pattern of the tracheal lumen antigen 2A12 (K and L) was used to assay the effects of cswlf on Btl signaling in the developing trachea. cswlf mutant embryos exhibited either relatively little tracheal disruption (e.g., interruption of the dorsal trunk, arrow in K) or significant disruption where the dorsal trunk was interrupted one or more times along the anteroposterior axis (arrowhead in L) and the dorsoventral tracheal branch patterns were misrouted (compare with K).

Since the observed cuticular defects, alone, could not account for the lethality exhibited by cswlf mutant embryos, specific tissues, whose specification and/or differentiation are dependent upon RTK signaling, were examined for defects resulting from the cswlf mutation. Consistent with the mild cuticular phenotypes observed, residual cswlf activity is sufficient for normal function of the Tor RTK pathway, the first RTK pathway known to be active during embryogenesis. In this pathway, which initiates patterning of the acron (anteriormost head) and telson (posteriormost tail), we used the expression patterns of tll and hkb as indicators of a loss of anterior and posterior patterning information (WEIGEL et al. 1990 Down; GHIGLIONE et al. 1999 Down). We observed no significant differences in the expression patterns of either tll or hkb in cswlf mutant embryos (Fig 3C and Fig D).

At later stages of embryogenesis, tissues whose specification and/or differentiation requires signaling by the EGFR or either of the Drosophila FGF RTKs [Breathless (Btl) and Heartless (Htl)] were assayed in cswlf mutant embryos. For specification and proper positioning of the segmentally reiterated precursor cells that give rise to both the DA1/#1 larval muscles and a subset of pericardial cells, input from both the EGF and Htl pathways is essential (CARMENA et al. 1998 Down). That is, both the DA1 and pericardial cells are deleted from embryos mutant for either the EGF or Htl receptors. Similarly, in cswlf mutant embryos, at germ band elongation these precursors, visualized with antibodies to the pair rule protein Even-skipped (Eve), are variably missing from one to four hemisegments per embryo (Fig 3E and Fig F). Since loss of these Eve positive precursor cells could be due to Csw function in either EGFR and/or Htl signaling, we utilized two additional molecular markers to determine if the cswlf lesion is sufficient to compromise the signal from each of these RTKs. Specifically, the gap gene Kruppel (Kr) is expressed in the larval muscle precursor VA2/#27 in response to EGFR signaling alone (BUFF et al. 1998 Down). As is the case for the Eve positive precursor, the VA2/#27 muscle precursor is variably deleted from random segments (Fig 3G and Fig H). Similarly, antibodies to a pericardial cell antigen (YARNITZKY and VOLK 1995 Down), whose expression requires signaling by the Htl RTK (MICHELSON et al. 1998 Down), reveals that in cswlf mutant embryos these heart precursor cells are disrupted and/or deleted (Fig 3I and Fig J).

Finally, to assay the effect of the cswlf lesion on signaling by the Btl RTK, we utilized a molecular marker that highlights the tracheal lumen (SAMAKOVLIS et al. 1996 Down). Approximately 40 to 50% of the cswlf mutant embryos examined exhibited only a very mild tracheal phenotype, most frequently manifested as gaps in the dorsal tracheal trunk (Fig 3K). However, the remaining mutant embryos exhibited a severe tracheal phenotype where not only was the dorsal tracheal trunk disrupted, but also all the major dorsoventral tracheal branches are misrouted (Fig 3L).

Taken together, our results suggest that the cswlf lesion is sufficient to compromise four RTK signaling pathways that are utilized throughout development. EGFR signaling is disrupted during oogenesis, embryogenesis, and imaginal stages. SEV signaling is disrupted during specification of the R7 photoreceptor, and both FGF RTKs, Btl and Htl, are disrupted during embryogenesis. Surprisingly, specification of the larval head and tail by the Torso RTK is unaffected by cswlf.

Genetics interactions of cswlf with altered forms of Ras and Raf:
Previously, KARIM et al. 1996 Down used genetic interactions with engineered Ras and Raf proteins to position additional components of Ras signaling within the pathway. sev-RasV12 is a gain-of-function mutation that transforms nonneuronal cone cells into supernumerary R7 cells (KARIM et al. 1996 Down). The differentiation of these extra photoreceptors disrupts the normal eye morphology, causing it to look rough. Expression of the dominant negative Ras1 allele, RasN17 (SIGAL et al. 1986 Down), expressed as a sev-Ras1N17 transgene, also results in a rough eye; however, this phenotype is due to missing R7 photoreceptors and occasionally outer photoreceptor cells (KARIM et al. 1996 Down). Finally, immediately downstream to Ras in RTK signaling is Raf. The transgene sev-RafTorso is an activated form of Raf that uses the Torso membrane spanning region to target the chimeric protein to the cell surface (DICKSON et al. 1992 Down). Presence of this transgene results in the constitutive activation of signaling downstream of Raf and in the eye results in the formation of ectopic photoreceptors.

We investigated the interactions of the above transgenes in males hemizygous for cswlf (Fig 4). Further supporting a role for Csw during Ras signaling, cswlf partially suppressed the rough eye phenotypes of the activated forms of Ras and Raf, sev-RasV12 and sev-RafTorso, while it enhanced the rough eye phenotype of dominant negative Ras, sev-RasN17 (Fig 4, compare A with G, B with H, and C with I). We characterized the interactions at the cellular level by examining transverse sections through ommatidia. Consistent with the interactions observed by SEM, above, in combination with activated forms of both Ras and Raf, cswlf partially suppressed the transformation of the nonneuronal cone cells into R7 photoreceptors (Fig 4, compare D with J and F with L). Conversely, the photoreceptor loss resulting from sev-RasN17 was enhanced in combination with cswlf (Fig 4, compare E with K).



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Figure 4. In the developing eye, cswlf interacts genetically with transgenes encoding modified forms of both Ras and Raf. Scanning electron micrographs and thin transverse sections through the adult eye are shown as follows: (A and D) T2B/+ (TM3, Sb, P[sev-Ras1V12]/+); (B and E) P(sev-Ras1N17)/+; (C and F) P(sev-Raftorso)/+; (G and J) cswlf/Y; T2B/+; (H and K) cswlf/Y; P(sev-Ras1N17)/+; (I and L) cswlf/Y; P(sev-RafTorso)/+. The supernumerary R7 cells (D) and the rough eye (A) produced by the activated Ras1 allele (sev-Ras1V12) is suppressed by cswlf (G and J). The dominant negative Ras1 allele, P(sev-Ras1N17), produces a mild rough eye (B) resulting from the loss of R7 cells (E). In trans with hemizygous cswlf the signaling efficiency is reduced. Both the loss of photoreceptor cells and the external eye roughness are enhanced. An activated Raf allele (sev-RafTorso) also produces a rough eye (C) due to the production of ectopic R7 cells (F); this, too, is suppressed by hemizygous cswlf.

Taken together these data suggest that in the developing eye the cswlf lesion is sufficient to alter the activities of both activated and dominant negative forms of Ras and an activated form of Raf. These phenotypes, developing within the context of signaling by both the EGFR and Sev pathways, firmly support a role for Csw as a modifier of the strengths of the inductive signals elicited by both the EGF and SEV RTKs.

Genetic interactions of cswlf with downstream transcription factors in the eye:
We have tested for genetic interactions between cswlf and two downstream effectors of Ras signaling, yan and pointed, in the developing eye. Within the context of R7 formation during signaling by the Sev RTK, Yan and Pnt antagonize each other; that is, while pnt promotes the formation of the R7 photoreceptor, yan opposes or negatively regulates R7 formation (LAI and RUBIN 1992 Down). Flies heterozygous for a gain-of-function mutation in yan, yanXS-2382, have a very mild rough eye due to the absence of only a few of the R7 photoreceptors (KARIM et al. 1996 Down). Flies doubly mutant for csw and yan (genotype: cswlf /Y; yanXS-2382/+) are poorly viable; however, flies that do eclose possess extremely small, rough eyes (data not shown). An amorphic pnt mutation, pnt{Delta}88, and a recessive lethal mutation, pnt07825, both dominantly enhanced the rough eye phenotype of males carrying cswlf. An enhancement of the wing vein gap phenotype of cswlf males was observed with pnt07825, but not pnt{Delta}88.

Together these results suggest that the cswlf lesion is sufficient to alter the signal received by the transcription factors whose activities are essential for proper formation of the R7 photoreceptor.

Screening for modifiers of cswlf adult phenotypes:
We have utilized the cswlf mutation as a starting point to conduct a sensitized genetic screen (see MATERIALS AND METHODS) to identify chromosomal regions that are able to dominantly enhance or suppress the cswlf phenotype when their dosage is reduced by one-half. Enhancing deficiencies (Table 1) were defined as those deficiencies that result in absence, i.e., lethality, of cswlf/Y; Df/+ males or those deficiencies in which the cswlf mutant phenotype was more severe but not lethal (examples shown in Fig 1D, Fig H, and Fig L). Suppressing deficiencies (Table 2) were defined as those deficiencies that in conjunction with cswlf (genotype: cswlf/Y; Df/+) result in marked improvement of the cswlf adult phenotypes (examples shown in Fig 1C, Fig G, and Fig K). The eye and wing phenotypes of outcrossed cswlf males (genotype: cswlf/Y; +/+) were used as controls. From this screen we have identified regions on both the second and third chromosomes that encompass loci that modify the expressivity of cswlf. Frequently, the intervals containing loci that modify the cswlf phenotypes could be refined by deficiencies that do not interact with cswlf. These are included in Table 1 and Table 2 as deficiencies showing no (N) interaction with cswlf.


 
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Table 1. Summary of the enhancers of cswlf


 
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Table 2. Summary of the suppressors of cswlf

Enhancers of cswlf:
Our deficiency screen identified 14 genomic regions on the second chromosome and 19 genomic regions on the third chromosome that dominantly enhanced the cswlf eye and/or wing vein phenotypes (Table 1). Consistent with a role for Csw in RTK signaling, as well as validating the screen, a significant number of the genomic regions identified encompass loci that function positively during RTK signaling or genetically interact with known components of RTK signaling. Briefly, deficiencies were identified that encode the Egfr receptor, the RTK transducers drk, dos, Ras1, rolled/MAPK, Src64B, the Egfr ligand vein, the Egfr ligand processing protein Star, and the transcription factors pnt, seven-in-absentia (sina), and seven-up (svp). We also identified enhancer interactions with deficiencies encoding candidate loci that have been previously identified as modifiers of RTK phenotypes and whose molecular identities are unknown, e.g., E(Egfr)B56 and Su(Raf)3C, or known molecules whose connection to RTK signaling is undescribed, e.g., the RNP motif containing protein split-ends (spen).

When possible, we tested for genetic interactions between cswlf and mutations in the candidate loci. As outlined above, we observed strong genetic interactions with cswlf and known positive components of RTK signaling, Ras, Raf, and Pnt. In addition, and supporting their designated "candidate genes" status, loss-of-function mutations in several loci, dosR31, drkTZ160, Egfr1F26, ras{Delta}C40b, and Star1, were observed to strongly enhance the cswlf mutant phenotypes, while the gain-of-function mutation rolledSEM strongly suppressed the cswlf phenotypes. We were satisfied to learn that, in combination with cswlf, the deficiency that contains the E(Egfr)B56 candidate, like the mutation, enhanced only the vein gap phenotype (PRICE et al. 1997 Down). The adult viable, hypomorphic allele of Src64B, Src64B{Delta}17, also enhanced the wing phenotype of cswlf but, like E(Egfr)B56, no obvious enhancement of the cswlf rough eye phenotype was observed in combination with Src64B{Delta}17.

Of particular interest are the enhancing deficiencies for which no candidate genes have been identified. Five genomic regions, three on the second chromosome and two on third chromosome, are lethal in combination with cswlf (Table 1). It is possible, however, that the lethal interactions with Df(3L)st-f13 (72C1-D1; 73A3-4) and Df(3L)Pc-MK (78A3; 79E1-2) result from the combined effects of nonlethal enhancer loci that also map to these regions.

Of the remaining nonlethal enhancing loci, most are enhancers of both the wing vein and eye cswlf phenotypes, five are enhancers of the vein gap phenotype only, and two are enhancers of the eye phenotype only. One of the latter, covered by the deficiency Df(2L)net-PMF, is an enhancer of the rough eye phenotype while also completely suppressing the wing vein phenotype, suggesting that two interacting loci are in this region. Interestingly, a candidate gene, net, maps to this region and displays ectopic veins and may thus be responsible for the suppression of the wing vein gap phenotype (see below).

Finally, there are several genomic intervals for which we expected interactions with cswlf; however, no interactions were observed. Three notable examples include the genomic intervals encoding the exchange factor Sos (34D4), the kinase Ksr (83A5), and the transcription factor Phyllopod (51A2). There are several reasons why interactions may not have been detected in these genetic intervals, the most likely being that the dosage of an interacting gene removed by the deficiency is not critical and, thus, removal of one copy would be insufficient to modify the cswlf phenotypes. Another likely possibility is that the regions deleted remove not only these positive components of RTK signaling but also nearby negative components. This latter hypothesis is thought to be the case for ksr and sos since, as expected, mutant alleles for two of these expected interacting loci, ksrS638 and sos34G, exhibit strong dominant enhancing interactions with cswlf.

Suppressors of cswlf:
Our deficiency screen identified 13 genomic regions on the second chromosome and 10 genomic regions on the third chromosome that dominantly suppressed the cswlf eye and/or wing vein phenotypes (Table 2). Among the suppressing loci 8 suppress both the wing vein and eye cswlf phenotypes, 8 are suppressors of the vein gap phenotype only, and 7 are suppressors of the eye phenotype only.

Also validating the screen, several of the genomic regions identified encompass loci that function to negatively regulate RTK signaling; that is, deficiencies were identified that encode the known negative regulators of RTK signaling argos (aos) and sprouty (sty). We also identified suppressing interactions with deficiencies encoding candidate loci that have been previously identified as modifiers of RTK phenotypes and whose molecular identities are both known, e.g., the serum response factor gene blistered (bs) and the tyrosine kinase gene Src42A, and unknown, e.g., echinoid (ed), net, and suppressor of veinlet [su(ve)], as well as a gene whose expression pattern suggests involvement in RTK signaling, e.g., the zinc finger encoding gene terminus (term).

When possible, we tested for genetic interactions between cswlf and mutations in the candidate loci. Supporting their designated candidate genes status, loss-of-function mutations in several loci, aosdelta7, net1, Src42Ak10108, and sty{Delta}5, were found to suppress cswlf mutant phenotypes. Fourteen additional suppressor loci, 8 on the second chromosome and 6 on the third chromosome, contain no obvious candidate genes (Table 2).

Interestingly, two deficiencies that delete the candidate locus bs (Df(2R)Px4 and Df(2R)Px2) and are strong suppressors of both the eye and vein gap phenotypes of cswlf, on their own, exhibit a dominant blistered wing and ectopic vein phenotype, which is, in turn, suppressed by interaction with cswlf (Fig 5). The dominant phenotypes of the deficiencies are due to the loss of the bs gene; however, a role for bs in eye development has not previously been reported (FRISTROM et al. 1994 Down; MONTAGNE et al. 1996 Down; ROCH et al. 1998 Down). We tested several bs alleles for their dominant effects on cswlf mutant phenotypes. Briefly, two recessive lethal bs alleles, bsK07909 and bs03267, which display dominant blistered wing and ectopic vein phenotypes alone, are strong suppressors of the cswlf eye and wing vein phenotypes (Fig 5). Of the three recessive viable alleles tested, bs1 exhibited a strong suppression with cswlf while bs2 and bs3 showed only partial suppression of the vein gap phenotype and weak or no suppression of the eye phenotype, respectively. We observed a reciprocal suppression of the dominant bs phenotypes by cswlf similar to the interactions obtained with both deficiencies of bs.



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Figure 5. The ectopic wing vein phenotype of bs, a suppressor of the cswlf adult phenotypes, is in turn, suppressed by cswlf. Scanning electron micrograph from cswlf/Y; Df(2R)Px2/+ (compare A to Fig 1B). Wings from adult flies: (B) a deficiency containing the bs gene Df(2R)Px2/+; (C) a strong allele of bs, bsK07909/+; (D) cswlf/Y; Df(2R)Px2/+; and (E) cswlf/Y; bsK07909/+. The deficiency Df(2R)Px2 dominantly suppresses the cswlf rough eye (A) and wing vein gaps (D). In turn, the ectopic wing veins of Df(2R)Px2 (see arrow in B) are suppressed by hemizygous cswlf (D). The mutual suppression was confirmed to be due to the bs gene, using the bsK07909 allele, which also exhibits an ectopic wing vein phenotype (see arrow in C). Again the wing vein gaps of cswlf/Y and the ectopic veins of bsK07909 were suppressed (E).

Finally, there are several genomic intervals for which we expected interactions with cswlf; however, no interactions were observed. Two notable examples include the genomic intervals encoding the GTPase-activating protein Gap1 (67D2-3) and the Ets-domain transcription factor Yan (22D1-2). As expected, however, the loss-of-function allele Gap1B2 exhibits a strong suppressing interaction with cswlf, and the gain-of-function allele yanXS-2382 (see above) exhibits a strong enhancing interaction with cswlf.


*  DISCUSSION
*TOP
*ABSTRACT
*MATERIALS AND METHODS
*RESULTS
*DISCUSSION
*LITERATURE CITED

cswlf is a hypomorphic allele that affects several RTK pathways:
We have isolated and characterized a novel allele of the Drosophila csw gene, cswlf, that bypasses the pupal lethality associated with all other known csw alleles and, when homozygous, results in rough eye and wing vein loss adult phenotypes (Fig 1). Complementation analysis with different alleles of csw, as well as deficiencies that remove the csw gene, always result in lethality or weakly viable adults with eye and wing phenotypes much more severe than homozygous cswlf flies. Further, the phenotypes of homozygous cswlf adults can be rescued by addition of one copy of a csw minigene. Together, these results suggest that the cswlf allele is a hypomorphic or residual activity mutation in the csw gene. This viable cswlf allele has provided a highly useful tool for both genetic and phenotypic analysis of csw function, as well as the identification of genomic regions and loci that genetically interact with csw.

Csw function had previously been shown to be essential for many developmental processes throughout the life cycle, including both the Sev and Egfr signaling pathways during imaginal development (PERKINS et al. 1992 Down, PERKINS et al. 1996 Down; ALLARD et al. 1996 Down). In the course of analyzing the cswlf adult phenotypes we observed a preferential loss of the R7 photoreceptor, along with the occasional loss of outer photoreceptors, again supporting a role for Csw in Sev and Egfr signaling in the eye. Likewise, the ability of cswlf to suppress wing vein differentiation, a developmental process requiring the Egfr (reviewed by DE CELIS 1998 Down), further supports a role for Csw in this process. However, we also wanted to determine whether the cswlf mutation affected only RTK pathways during imaginal development or whether RTK signaling at other stages could also be disrupted by the mutation. Although homozygous adult male and female cswlf flies can be obtained, a homozygous stock cannot be maintained due to almost complete sterility of the homozygous females; however, adult males appear to be fully fertile. Further examination of homozygous cswlf females revealed that the eggs they lay are ventralized; i.e., the dorsal appendages are fused (Fig 2). This is a phenotype exhibited by mutations in the Egf RTK pathway in the determination of the dorsal eggshell during oogenesis (reviewed by VAN BUSKIRK and SCHUPBACH 1999 Down).

To investigate the effect of the cswlf lesion during embryonic RTK signaling, we mated females bearing cswlf germline clones to hemizygous cswlf males and examined the resulting cswlf/cswlf female and cswlf/Y male progeny. That cswlf is the weakest of the series of csw alleles is supported by the analysis of the expression patterns of tll and hkb, transcription factors whose expression directs the formation of larval terminal structures and is dependent on the activity of the Torso RTK (reviewed by PERRIMON et al. 1995 Down). All of the previously identified csw alleles reduced, to varying degrees, the posterior expression of both tll and hkb (PERKINS et al. 1992 Down, PERKINS et al. 1996 Down; GHIGLIONE et al. 1999 Down); however, the cswlf mutation did not affect the expression of either tll or hkb (Fig 3).

While the reduction in Csw function by the cswlf lesion does not show any obvious effects on Torso signaling, this mutation mildly affects signaling by other essential embryonic RTKs (Fig 3). As is the case for signaling by the Egfr during oogenesis and imaginal development, the cswlf mutation reduces the Egfr pathway signal, as evidenced by a partial fusion of denticle bands along the midline, mild twisting, and incomplete germ band shortening, all phenotypes exhibited by mutations affecting Egfr signaling (reviewed by PERRIMON and PERKINS 1997 Down; SCHWEITZER and SHILO 1997 Down). Other RTK pathways whose activities are presumed to be reduced by the cswlf mutation include both of the Drosophila FGF receptors, Btl required for larval tracheal development (reviewed by METZGER and KRASNOW 1999 Down) and Htl required for larval muscle and heart development (BEIMAN et al. 1996 Down; GISSELBRECHT et al. 1996 Down). In the case of Btl signaling, homozygous cswlf embryos exhibit a disconnected system of tracheal branches that are often misrouted and, in the case of Htl signaling, specific mesodermally derived larval muscles and heart precursor cells appear to be missing (Fig 3).

Collectively, our phenotypic analysis of the cswlf lesion suggests that, with the exception of the RTK Torso, this mutation affects an aspect of Csw function that is utilized within each of the RTK signaling pathways examined. This point is important in the context of our deficiency screen where this lesion was used to identify genomic regions that either enhance or suppress the cswlf adult mutant phenotypes. In this regard, we can reasonably assume that among the interacting genomic intervals that modify both the Sev and Egfr pathways required for proper eye and wing formation are candidate loci that function to modify additional RTK pathways, e.g., the Btl and Htl signaling pathways.

Role of Csw in the RTK signaling cassette:
We tested for interactions between components of the pathway and cswlf. Uniformly, we observed that loss-of-function or dominant negative mutations in positive transducers of the RTK signal enhanced the cswlf phenotypes, while gain-of-function or activated forms of positive transducers suppressed the cswlf phenotypes. Similarly, loss-of-function mutations in negative transducers of the RTK signal suppressed the cswlf phenotypes and a gain-of-function mutation in a negative transducer, yan, enhanced the cswlf phenotypes. These results firmly support previous work demonstrating a role for Csw as a positive mediator of RTK pathway signaling, and our results are consistent with previous reports that have suggested that Csw appears to function either upstream or downstream of Ras1 and/or D-Raf depending upon the RTK under investigation (LU et al. 1993 Down; ALLARD et al. 1996 Down). We found that the cswlf mutation was capable of suppressing the phenotypes resulting from the expression in the eye of activated forms of both Ras1 and Raf. In a large-scale screen for suppressors of the activated Ras phenotype, KARIM et al. 1996 Down isolated multiple alleles of several genes known to act downstream of Ras, but did not detect mutations in genes upstream of Ras, e.g., sos, drk, or Egfr. It is unlikely therefore that the activated Ras phenotype is sensitive to downregulation of the endogenous RTK pathway upstream of Ras, which leads us to conclude that Csw has an additional role(s) downstream of Ras and Raf.

Use of cswlf in a sensitive genetic screen:
cswlf is a viable mutation with easily scored adult phenotypes, thus making it an ideal sensitized genetic background with which to perform an F1 screen for modifier loci. The efficacy of the screen is indicated by the detection of several loci containing known components of the Ras pathway, e.g., Aos, Dos, Drk, Egfr, Pnt, Ras1, Rl/MAPK, Star, and Sty. The screen detected both modifiers of the adult phenotypes and also lethal interactions. This was to be expected, as our phenotypic analysis shows that cswlf reduces the efficiency of various RTK signals throughout development, not just in the eyes and wing veins. Some of the modifier loci included the map positions of mutations previously detected in genetic screens for modifiers of the Ras pathway; e.g., E(Egfr)B56 and Spen/E(raf)3A were detected in screens for modifiers of Egfr and Raf phenotypes (DICKSON et al. 1996 Down; PRICE et al. 1997 Down).

Interestingly, we also observed enhancing and suppressing genetic interactions with genomic intervals containing the nonreceptor tyrosine kinases Src64B and Src42A, respectively. With regard to Src64B, we tested a small deletion that encompasses the Src64B gene, Df(3L)10H as well as the adult viable hypomorphic mutation Src64B{Delta}17, both of which enhance the wing phenotype of cswlf; however, unlike the deficiency Df(3L)10H, we observed no obvious enhancement of the cswlf rough eye phenotype in combination with Src64B{Delta}17. While in Drosophila the role of Src64B in RTK signaling has not been broadly explored, ectopic expression studies have suggested that Src64B plays a positive role during photoreceptor differentiation (COOPER et al. 1996 Down). Here we extend these observations to include a putative role for this gene in Egfr-mediated specification of wing veins. With regard to Src42A, there are conflicting reports with respect to Ras pathway regulation. TAKAHASHI et al. 1996 Down has reported that this tyrosine kinase maps to 41A (Src41A) and plays a positive role in Ras signaling. More recently, however, LU and LI 1999 Down have mapped the same gene to 42A and demonstrated a negative role for this kinase in Egfr signaling. When we tested for a genetic interaction between cswlf and a P-element insertion allelic to Src42A, we observed a suppression of the cswlf phenotypes, consistent with a negative regulatory role for this gene.

Other enhancer loci did not appear to have any obvious candidate interacting genes, including four of the lethal interactions on the second chromosome and two lethal interactions on the third chromosome. For some of these loci we were able to confirm the interaction with overlapping deficiencies (see Table 1), demonstrating that the modifiers most likely reside in the deficiency location and not elsewhere on the chromosome. Similarly, a number of the nonlethal modifier loci were also located in overlapping deficiencies.

Among the suppressor loci we identified are net, a mutation with a vein promoting phenotype; ed, which has previously been shown to be a suppressor of reduced Egfr signaling; and sty, a known negative regulator of multiple RTK pathways throughout development. In addition, two strong suppressors were contained within overlapping deficiencies that removed the bs gene. The latter deficiencies result in dominant wing blistering and ectopic vein phenotypes, which in turn are suppressed by cswlf, suggesting that the interacting allele is indeed bs, a finding we have confirmed by testing interactions with a number of bs alleles. Bs has previously been shown to act autonomously in the intervein cells of the pupal wing in order to limit the width of the wing veins and is a Drosophila homologue of the mammalian serum response factor, a MADS-box containing transcriptional regulator (MONTAGNE et al. 1996 Down). Mutual suppression between the cswlf and bs alleles may indicate that the balance of vein differentiation observed reflects antagonistic activity between Bs and the Egfr pathway. This is supported by the observation that in the pupal wing the activities of bs and veinlet mutually repress the expression of the other (ROCH et al. 1998 Down). Our finding that strong alleles of bs suppress the eye phenotypes of cswlf is interesting as this is the first report of a role for Bs in the developing eye.

Perspective:
The fortuitous isolation of a novel, viable allele of csw, a known positive transducer of multiple RTK initiated signals, has provided a powerful tool to identify autosomal genomic intervals that genetically enhance or suppress the adult csw mutant phenotypes. It is anticipated that several of the autosomal intervals identified will yield hitherto unknown transducers and/or regulators of RTK signaling, each of which may provide clues toward the identification of new or novel ways to regulate the activities of these universally conserved, essential signaling pathways.


*  FOOTNOTES

1 These authors contributed equally to this work. Back


*  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

For antibodies we thank M. Krasnow, T. Volk, Dave Kosman, and John Reinitz. For fly stocks we thank the Bloomington Stock Center, Y. Hiromi, N. Perrimon, J. Price, G. Rubin, F. Takahashi, and C.-t Wu. We thank C. Gilpin for assistance with electron microscopy and W. Li for sharing data prior to publication. L.F. is supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. M.B. is supported by the Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust. J.A.L. is supported by Postdoctoral Fellowships from the National Institutes of Health, F32GM17901, and the American Cancer Society, Massachusetts Division. L.A.P is supported by a National Science Foundation grant IBN-9904606 and by the Department of Surgery at the Massachusetts General Hospital.

Manuscript received March 2, 2000; Accepted for publication June 21, 2000.


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*DISCUSSION
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L