A Key Role for in Anterior Head and Central Brain Patterning in Insects
Overview
Affiliations
Anterior patterning of animals is based on a set of highly conserved transcription factors but the interactions within the protostome anterior gene regulatory network (aGRN) remain enigmatic. Here, we identify the red flour beetle ortholog of () as a novel upstream component of the aGRN. It is required for the development of the labrum and higher order brain structures, namely the central complex and the mushroom bodies. We reveal interactions by RNAi and heat shock-mediated misexpression. Surprisingly, and mutually activate each other, forming a novel regulatory module at the top of the aGRN. Comparisons of our results with those of sea urchins and cnidarians suggest that has acquired more upstream functions in the aGRN during protostome evolution. Our findings expand the knowledge on gene function to include essential roles in epidermal development and central brain patterning.
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