|
Comment |
Baksa K, et al 2002 reported the Drosophila STAT protein, Stat92E, regulates follicle cell
differentiation during oogenesis.
Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins are
transcription factors that play a critical role in the response of a variety
of eukaryotic cells to cytokine and growth factor signaling. In Drosophila,
the STAT homolog encoded by the stat92E gene is required for the normal
development of multiple tissues, including embryonic segmentation, imaginal
discs, blood cells, male germ cells, and sex determination. We used multiple
approaches to study the role of stat92E in oogenesis. Stat92E RNA expression
is strongest in the differentiating follicle cells in the germarium, as
determined by in situ hybridization. The authors generated an ethylmethane
sulfonate-induced, temperature-sensitive allele, stat92E', in which the
mutant
protein contains a P506S substitution, located in the DNA binding domain. At
the restrictive temperature, mutant females are sterile. Mutant ovaries have
multiple defects, including fused egg chambers and an absence of
interfollicular stalks cells and functional polar follicle cells. An analysis
of mosaic clones, using an apparent null stat92E allele, indicates that
Stat92E is required in the polar/stalk follicle cell lineage. Thus
stat92E is necessary for the early differentiation of follicle cells and for
proper germ line cell encapsulation during Drosophila oogenesis.
|