The Drosophila metastasis suppressor gene Nm23 homolog, awd, regulates epithelial integrity during oogenesis.

ABSTRACT: The expression levels of the metastasis suppressor gene Nm23 have been shown to correlate positively or inversely with prognosis in different cancer cohorts. This indicates that Nm23 may be needed at different expression levels and may function differently in various tissues. Here we report a novel epithelial function of the Drosophila melanogaster homolog of human Nm23, abnormal wing discs (awd). We show a dynamic expression pattern of the Awd protein during morphogenesis of the Drosophila follicle cells during oogenesis. Loss-of-function awd mutant cells result in the accumulation and spreading of adherens junction components, such as Drosophila E-cadherin, beta-catenin/Armadillo, and alpha-spectrin, and the disruption of epithelial integrity, including breaking up of the epithelial shee

SUBMITTER: Woolworth JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2725718 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature