ROUGHEST AND HIBRIS FOR DROSOPHILA EYE

 

 

Roughest and Hibris are two heterophilic cell-adhesion molecules (CAMs), mutations of which lead to abnormally patterned eyes and defects in the axons that project from the eye to the brain.

Bao and Cagan show how dynamic interactions between Roughest and Hibris determine the precise patterning of the developing Drosophila eye (Bao S. & Cagan R., Preferential adhesion mediated by Hibris and Rougest regulates morphogenesis and patterning in the Drosophila eye. Dev. Cell 8, 925-935, 2005).

The two CAMs are expressed by complementary cells types and Hibris serves as a Roughest-binding protein. This preferential adhesion seems to be the driving force behind the patterning process of the Drosophila eye. Bao and Cagan’s work suggests testing other tissues and organs to look a similar mechanism in pattern development. 

 

BM&L-September 2005

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