Drosophila SNS, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily that is essential for myoblast fusion.

ABSTRACT: The Drosophila sticks-and-stones (sns) locus was identified on the basis of its mutant phenotype, the complete absence of body wall muscles and corresponding presence of unfused myoblasts. The genetic location of the mutation responsible for this apparent defect in myoblast fusion was determined by recombination and deficiency mapping, and the corresponding wild-type gene was isolated in a molecular walk. Identification of the SNS coding sequence revealed a putative member of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) of cell adhesion molecules. As anticipated from this homology, SNS is enriched at the membrane and clusters at discrete sites, coincident with the occurrence of myoblast fusion. Both the sns transcript and the encoded protein are expressed in precursors of the somatic and visceral

SUBMITTER: Bour BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC316690 | biostudies-literature | 2000 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature