This proposal is intended to initiate a research program to study cell signalling during Drosophila development. The wealth of genetic information and the ease of molecular manipulation in Drosophila make it an ideal system for the dissection of processes involving many components, such as signal transduction pathways. Here Dr. Wharton proposes to elucidate the function of the newly identified TGF-beta like gene, 60A, through genetical and developmental analyses. Mutations in the gene will be generated in an F2 lethal screen and a male sterile screen. The developmental consequences of these mutants will be determined by direct observation of their development, cuticular preparations, histology and in situ hybridizations. Potential genetic interactions involving 60A, and other genes which code for putative components of a TGF-beta signal transduction pathway, such as, a second Drosophila TGF-beta like gene, dpp, will be examined. The results of these experiments will allow us to better understand the roles of TGF-beta like proteins in communication between cells during development.
