Expression pattern of Drosophila ret suggests a common ancestral origin between the metamorphosis precursors in insect endoderm and the vertebrate enteric neurons.

摘要: Abstract The RET gene, encoding a receptor tyrosine kinase, is unusual among human protooncogenes in that its mutant alleles are implicated developmental defect involving enteric neurons as well tumorigenesis. The cells affected both types of disorders derived from the neural crest. Targeted disruption mouse ret has revealed an additional role kidney development. Here we report analysis homolog Drosophila melanogaster, arthropod with no (D-ret) encodes protein 1,235 amino acids all domains identified vertebrate ret, including cadherin motif. During embryogenesis, D-ret mRNA first detected yolk sac at late gastrula stage. In postgastrula, expressed foregut neurons, excretory system, peripheral ganglia, and central nervous system. Thus, despite wide divergence early embryonic fate maps between vertebrates invertebrates, presumed to be functional equivalents ret-expressing vertebrates. Unexpectedly, also imaginal islands endodermal gut. These proliferation-competent precursors for adult midgut diffusely embedded growth-arrested juvenile nonneuronal strikingly analogous their topography, but not cell fate. Our finding suggests previously unrecognized phylogenetic relationship precursor reserves metamorphosing insects.