| Modification Notes |
Drosophila melanogaster, a proven and effective model for studying developmental and cellular processes common to higher eukaryotes, contains a genome encoding approximately 13,600 genes, which were elucidated from more than 120 megabases of euchromatin (1). These genes are organized among chromosomes 2, 3, 4, X, and Y, with the Y chromosome being predominately heterochromatic (1). Drosophila genes, which are categorized based on the type of protein for which they encode, represent six major classifications, including intracellular signaling proteins, transmembrane proteins, RNA binding proteins, secreted factors, transcription regulators (basic helix-loop-helix, homeodomain containing, zinc finger containing, and chromatin associated), and other functional proteins (2). Morphogenesis and cell differentiation in Drosophila requires accurate control of cell division (3,4). Discs large (Dlg), Scribble (Scrib), and Lethal giant larvae (Lgl) tumour suppressor proteins regulate multiple aspects of neuroblast asymmetric cell division (5). Dlg/Scrib/Lgl proteins show apical cortical enrichment at prophase/metaphase, and have a uniform cortical distribution (5). LGL appears to work together with Numb to inhibit Notch signaling and to specify the fates of the cellular components of the Drosophila adult sensory organ (6). |
