NCBI Summary:
This gene encodes a homeodomain and LIM-domain containing protein. The encoded protein is a transcription factor that acts as a positive regulator of insulin gene transcription. This gene also plays a role in the development of dopamine producing neurons during embryogenesis. Mutations in this gene are associated with an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Alternate splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Feb 2012]
General function
DNA binding, Transcription factor
Comment
Cellular localization
Nuclear
Comment
Ovarian function
Comment
Lmx1a is required for the development of the ovarian stem cell niche in Drosophila. Allbee AW et al. (2018) The Drosophila ovary serves as a model for pioneering studies of stem cell niches, with defined cell types and signaling pathways supporting both germline and somatic stem cells. The establishment of the niche units begins during larval stages with the formation of terminal filament-cap structures; however, the genetics underlying their development remains largely unknown. Here we show that the transcription factor Lmx1a is required for ovary morphogenesis. We found that Lmx1a is expressed in early ovarian somatic lineages and becomes progressively restricted to terminal filaments and cap cells. We show that Lmx1a is required for the development of terminal filaments at the time at which they form, during the larval-pupal transition. Finally, our data demonstrate that Lmx1a functions genetically downstream of Bric-à-Brac, and is critical for the expression of key components of several conserved pathways essential to ovarian stem cell niche development. Importantly, expression of chicken Lmx1b is sufficient to rescue the null Lmx1a phenotype, indicating functional conservation across the animal kingdom. These results significantly expand our understanding of the mechanisms controlling stem cell-niche development in the fly ovary.//////////////////