The EGF receptor defines domains of cell cycle progression and survival to regulate cell number in the developing Drosophila eye

Nicholas E. Baker, Sung Yun Yu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

162 Scopus citations

Abstract

The number of cells in developing organs must be controlled spatially by extracellular signals. Our results show how cell number can be regulated by cell interactions controlling proliferation and survival in local neighborhoods in the case of the Drosophila compound eye. Intercellular signals act during the second mitotic wave, a cell cycle that generates a pool of uncommitted cells used for most ommatidial fates. We find that G1/S progression to start the cell cycle requires EGF receptor inactivity. EGF receptor activation is then required for progression from G2 to M phase of the same cells, and also prevents apoptosis. EGF receptor activation depends on short-range signals from five-cell preclusters of photoreceptor neurons not participating in the second mitotic wave. Through proliferation and survival control, such signals couple the total number of uncommitted cells being generated to the neural patterning of the retina.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)699-708
Number of pages10
JournalCell
Volume104
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 9 2001

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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