Rutledge, Barbara J.Zhang, KangBier, EthanJan, Yuh NungPerrimon, Norbert2022-07-151992-08-01Rutledge, Barbara J., Kang Zhang, Ethan Bier, Yuh Nung Jan, Norbert Perrimon. "The Drosophila Spitz Gene Encodes a Putative EGF-Like Growth Factor Involved in Dorsal-Ventral Axis Formation and Neurogenesis." Genes & Development 6, no. 8 (1992): 1503-1517. DOI: 10.1101/gad.6.8.15030890-93691549-5477https://nrs.harvard.edu/URN-3:HUL.INSTREPOS:37372621We describe the molecular characterization of the Drosophila gene spitz (spi), which encodes a putative 26-kD, EGF-like transmembrane protein that is structurally similar to TGF-alpha. Temporal and spatial expression patterns of spi transcripts indicate that spi is expressed throughout the embryo. Examination of mutant embryos reveals that spi is involved in a number of unrelated developmental choices, for example, dorsal-ventral axis formation, glial migration, sensory organ determination, and muscle development. We propose that spi may act as a ligand for cell-specific receptors, possibly rhomboid and/or the Drosophila EGF receptor homolog.en-USResearch Subject Categories::NATURAL SCIENCES::Biology::Cell and molecular biologyJournal Article2022-07-1510.1101/gad.6.8.1503