Póster presentado al Joint Spring Meeting of British Society for Developmental Biology and British Society for Cell Biology, celebrado en la Universidad de Warwick (UK) del 17 al 20 de marzo de 2013.The main endocrine organ of
Drosophila, the ring gland, is
formed by the fusion of the
corpora allata (producing
Juvenile Hormone), the
prothoracic gland (Ecdysone)
and the corpus cardiacum
(Adipokinetichormone and
others). The embryonic origin
of the corpus cardiacum from
cephalic mesodermal cells has
been established, but the
origin of the corpora allata (ca)
and prothoracic gland (pg)
is unknown. We demonstrate
that the corpora allata and
prothoracic gland develop from
cephalic ectodermal cells that
in other segments of the body
give rise to the trachea. We
identify Hox and Vvl as common
primary genes required for
trachea, corpora allata and
prothoracic gland specification;
as well as Snail as a specific
corpora allata and prothoracic
gland gene. Snail controls
the ephitelial to mesenchymal
transition (EMT) that is one of
the major differences between
the ring gland and trachea
development. We also show that the trachea can be converted
into corpora allata or prothoracic
gland and viceversa. Our data
indicate that endocrine glands
and trachea evolved by the
divergence of a homologous
segmentally repeated structure.Peer Reviewe
