Drosophila myoblast city encodes a conserved protein that is essential for myoblast fusion, dorsal closure, and cytoskeletal organization.

ABSTRACT: The Drosophila myoblast city (mbc) locus was previously identified on the basis of a defect in myoblast fusion (Rushton et al., 1995. Development [Camb.]. 121:1979-1988). We describe herein the isolation and characterization of the mbc gene. The mbc transcript and its encoded protein are expressed in a broad range of tissues, including somatic myoblasts, cardial cells, and visceral mesoderm. It is also expressed in the pole cells and in ectodermally derived tissues, including the epidermis. Consistent with this latter expression, mbc mutant embryos exhibit defects in dorsal closure and cytoskeletal organization in the migrating epidermis. Both the mesodermal and ectodermal defects are reminiscent of those induced by altered forms of Drac1 and suggest that mbc may function in the same pathw

SUBMITTER: Erickson MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2141626 | biostudies-literature | 1997 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature