Bone morphogenetic protein signaling: the pathway and its regulation.

In the mid-1960s, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) were first identified in the extracts of bone to have the remarkable ability to induce heterotopic bone. When the Drosophila gene decapentaplegic (dpp) was first identified to share sequence similarity with mammalian BMP2/BMP4 in the late-1980s, it became clear that secreted BMP ligands can mediate processes other than bone formation. Following this discovery, collaborative efforts between Drosophila geneticists and mammalian biochemists made use of the strengths of their respective model systems to identify BMP signaling components and delineate the pathway.

Two phases for centripetal migration of Drosophila melanogaster follicle cells: initial ingression followed by epithelial migration.

During Drosophila oogenesis, somatic follicle cells (FCs) differentiate to secrete components of the eggshell. Before secretion, the epithelium reorganizes to shape eggshell specializations, including border FC collective cell migration and later dorsal formation. These FC movements provide valuable insights into collective cell migration.

Generation and analysis of 3D cell culture models for drug discovery.

Successful preclinical drug testing relies in part on data generated using in vitro cell culture models that recapitulate the structure and function of tumours and other tissues in vivo. The growing evidence that 3D cell models can more accurately predict the efficacy of drug responses compared to traditionally utilised 2D cell culture systems has led to continuous scientific and technological advances that enable better physiologically representative in vitro modelling of in vivo tissues. This review will provide an overview of the utility of current 3D cell models from a drug screening perspective and explore the future of 3D cell models for drug discovery applications.

Modeling by disruption and a selected-for partner for the nude locus.

A long-standing problem in biology is how to dissect traits for which no tractable model exists. Here, we screen for genes like the nude locus (Foxn1)-genes central to mammalian hair and thymus development-using animals that never evolved hair, thymi, or Foxn1. Fruit flies are morphologically disrupted by the FOXN1 transcription factor and rescued by weak reductions in fly gene function, revealing molecules that potently synergize with FOXN1 to effect dramatic, chaotic change.

Mob Family Proteins: Regulatory Partners in Hippo and Hippo-Like Intracellular Signaling Pathways.

Studies in yeast first delineated the function of Mob proteins in kinase pathways that regulate cell division and shape; in multicellular eukaryotes Mobs regulate tissue growth and morphogenesis. In animals, Mobs are adaptors in Hippo signaling, an intracellular signal-transduction pathway that restricts growth, impacting the development and homeostasis of animal organs. Central to Hippo signaling are the Nuclear Dbf2-Related (NDR) kinases, Warts and LATS1 and LATS2, in flies and mammals, respectively.