BIOSS
Centre for Biological Signalling Studies

Expansion-repression mechanism for scaling the Dpp activation gradient in Drosophila wing imaginal discs

11.08.2011

Ben-Zvi D, Pyrowolakis G, Barkai N, Shilo BZ.

Curr Biol. 21(16):1391-6.

Curr Biol         online article

Despite considerable differences in the size of individuals of the same species, the proportions within organs and tissues are precisely maintained - a phenomenon also known as scaling. We use a combination of Drosophila genetics and mathematical modelling to describe a molecular mechanism that ensures adaptation of pattern to size. We show that proper scaling of the signaling activity gradient elicited by the morphogen DPP requires the activity of PENT, a recently identified feed-back regulator of morphogen signaling.