Deltex, a Locus Interacting with the Neurogenic Genes, Notch, Delta and Mastermind in Drosophila Melanogaster

The Notch locus of Drosophila melanogaster, which codes for a transmembrane protein sharing homology with the mammalian epidermal growth factor, is one of a small number of zygotically acting genes, the so called neurogenic loci, which are necessary for the correct segregation of neural from epidermal lineages during embryogenesis. In an attempt to identify genes whose products may interact with that of Notch, we designed a genetic screen aimed at identifying suppressors of certain Notch mutations which are known to affect the extracellular epidermal growth factor homologous domain of Notch. Mutations in two neurogenic loci were identified as suppressors: Delta, whose product was recently shown to interact with Notch and mastermind. In addition, a third, X-linked gene was shown capable of acting as a suppressor. We show that this gene is the deltex locus, characterize the phenotype of deltex mutations, and demonstrate both a maternal and zygotic action of the locus. All deltex alleles behave as recessive viables affecting wing, ocellar and eye morphology. There are allele specific interactions between deltex and various Notch alleles; for example, deltex mutants with a reduced dosage of wild-type Notch die as pupae. deltex also interacts with Delta and mastermind in a fashion that is formally analogous to its interaction with Notch. These results emphasize the special relationship between Notch, Delta and mastermind suggested by previous work and indicate that deltex is likely to play an important role in the same genetic circuitry within which these three neurogenic loci operate.     

Mutations in the heatshock cognate 70 protein (hsc4) modulate Notch signaling

In our effort to dissect the Notch signaling mechanism we have conducted a screen for mutations that reduce Notch signaling activity. We recovered nine complementation groups as modifiers of the hypomorphic Notch allele notchoid. Apart from the known Notch signaling modulators Notch, Delta and mastermind we isolated alleles in vestigial, wingless, scalloped and clipped, genes known to affect wing morphogenesis. In addition, we identified mutations in Bag, the gene encoding clathrin heavy chain and a dominant mutation of the cytosolic 70 kDa heatshock cognate protein encoded by the hsc4 gene, as Notch signaling modifier. We focused our attention on the latter mutation because it displays dramatic genetic interactions with mutations of the Notch receptor as well as several additional Notch signaling pathway elements. We discuss how hsc4, a gene thought to be involved in subcellular trafficking, may affect the number of functional Notch receptors on the cell surface.     

A Genetic Analysis of Deltex and Its Interaction with the Notch Locus in Drosophila Melanogaster

During Drosophila development networks of genes control the developmental pathways that specify cell fates. The Notch gene is a well characterized member of some cell fate pathways, and several other genes belonging to these same pathways have been identified because they share a neurogenic null phenotype with Notch. However, it is unlikely that the neurogenic genes represent all of the genes in these pathways. The goal of this research was to use a genetic approach to identify and characterize one of the other genes that acts with Notch to specify cell fate. Mutant alleles of genes in the same pathway should have phenotypes similar to Notch alleles and should show phenotypic interactions with Notch alleles. With this approach we identified the deltex gene as a potential cell fate gene. An extensive phenotypic characterization of loss-of-function deltex phenotypes showed abnormalities (such as thick wing veins, double bristles and extra cone cells) that suggest that deltex is involved in cell fate decision processes. Phenotypic interactions between deltex and Notch as seen in double mutants showed that Notch and deltex do not code for duplicate functions and that the two genes function together in many different developing tissues. The results of these investigations lead to the conclusion that the deltex gene functions with the Notch gene in one or more developmental pathways to specify cell fate.     

The Drosophila melanogaster Suppressor of deltex gene, a regulator of the Notch receptor signaling pathway, is an E3 class ubiquitin ligase.

During development, the Notch receptor regulates many cell fate decisions by a signaling pathway that has been conserved during evolution. One positive regulator of Notch is Deltex, a cytoplasmic, zinc finger domain protein, which binds to the intracellular domain of Notch. Phenotypes resulting from mutations in deltex resemble loss-of-function Notch phenotypes and are suppressed by the mutation Suppressor of deltex [Su(dx)]. Homozygous Su(dx) mutations result in wing-vein phenotypes and interact genetically with Notch pathway genes. We have previously defined Su(dx) genetically as a negative regulator of Notch signaling. Here we present the molecular identification of the Su(dx) gene product. Su(dx) belongs to a family of E3 ubiquitin ligase proteins containing membrane-targeting C2 domains and WW domains that mediate protein-protein interactions through recognition of proline-rich peptide sequences. We have identified a seven-codon deletion in a Su(dx) mutant allele and we show that expression of Su(dx) cDNA rescues Su(dx) mutant phenotypes. Overexpression of Su(dx) also results in ectopic vein differentiation, wing margin loss, and wing growth phenotypes and enhances the phenotypes of loss-of-function mutations in Notch, evidence that supports the conclusion that Su(dx) has a role in the downregulation of Notch signaling.     

Engineered truncations in the Drosophila mastermind protein disrupt Notch pathway function.

The phenotypes and genetic interactions associated with mutations in the Drosophila mastermind (mam) gene have implicated it as a component of the Notch signaling pathway. However, its function and site of action within many tissues requiring Notch signaling have not been thoroughly investigated. To address these questions, we have constructed truncated versions of the Mam protein that elicit dominant phenotypes when expressed in imaginal tissues under GAL4-UAS regulation. By several criteria, these effects appear to phenocopy loss of function for the Notch pathway. When expressed in the notum, truncated Mam results in failure of lateral inhibition within proneural clusters and perturbations in cell fate specification within the sensory organ precursor cell lineage. Expression in the wing is associated with vein thickening and margin defects, including nicking and bristle loss. The truncation-associated wing margin phenotypes are modified by mutations in Notch and Wg pathway genes and are correlated with depressed expression of wg, cut, and vg. These data support the idea that Mam truncations have lost key effector domains and therefore behave as dominant-negative proteins. Coexpression of Delta or an activated form of Notch suppresses the effects of the Mam truncation, suggesting that Mam can function upstream of ligand-receptor interaction in the Notch pathway. This system should prove useful for the investigation of the role of Mam within the Notch pathway.     

Fs(1)yb Is Required for Ovary Follicle Cell Differentiation in Drosophila Melanogaster and Has Genetic Interactions with the Notch Group of Neurogenic Genes

Phenotypic and genetic analyses demonstrate that fs(1)Yb activity is required in the soma for the development of a subset of ovarian follicle cells and to support later stages of egg maturation. Mutations in fs(1)Yb cause a range of ovarian phenotypes, from the improper segregation of egg chambers to abnormal dorsal appendage formation. The mutant phenotypes associated with fs(1)Yb are very similar to the ovarian aberrations produced by temperature-sensitive alleles of Notch and Delta. Possible functional or regulatory interactions between fs(1)Yb and Notch are suggested by genetic studies. A duplication of the Notch locus partially suppresses the female-sterility caused by fs(1)Yb mutations, while reducing Notch dosage makes the fs(1)Yb mutant phenotype more severe. In addition, fs(1)Yb alleles also interact with genes that are known to act with or regulate Notch activity, including Delta, daughterless, and mastermind. However, differences between the mutant ovarian phenotype of fs(1)Yb and that of Notch or Delta indicate that the genes do not have completely overlapping functions in the ovary. We propose that fs(1)Yb acts as an ovary-specific factor that determines follicle cell fate.     

Itch/AIP4 mediates Deltex degradation through the formation of K29-linked polyubiquitin chains

Deltex (DTX) and AIP4 are the human orthologues of the Drosophila deltex and Suppressor of deltex, which have been genetically described as being antagonistically involved in the Notch signalling pathway. Both genes encode E3 ubiquitin ligases of the RING (Really interesting new gene)-H2 and HECT (Homologous to E6AP carboxyl terminus) families, respectively. In an attempt to understand the molecular basis of their genetic interactions, we studied the relationship between DTX and AIP4 in the absence of activation of the Notch pathway. We show here that both molecules interact and partially colocalize to endocytic vesicles, and that AIP4 targets DTX for lysosomal degradation. Furthermore, AIP4-generated polyubiquitin chains are mainly conjugated through lysine 29 of ubiquitin in vivo, indicating a link between this type of chain and lysosomal degradation.     

Modifications of the Notch Function by Abruptex Mutations in Drosophila Melanogaster

The function of the Notch gene is required in cell interactions defining alternative cell fates in several developmental processes. The Notch gene encodes a transmembrane protein with 36 epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like repeats in its extracellular domain. This protein functions as a receptor that interacts with other transmembrane proteins, such as Serrate and Delta, which also have EGF repeats in their extracellular domain. The Abruptex mutations of the Notch locus are associated with amino acid substitutions in the EGF repeats 24-29 of the Notch protein. We have studied, in genetic combinations, the modifications of Notch function caused by Abruptex mutations. These mutations lead to phenotypes which are opposite to those caused by Notch deletions. The Abruptex phenotypes are modified by the presence of mutations in other loci, in particular in the genes Serrate and Delta as well as Hairless, and groucho. The results suggest that all Abruptex mutations cause stronger than normal Notch activation by the Delta protein. Some Abruptex alleles also display an insufficiency of N function. Abruptex alleles which produce stronger enhancement of Notch activation also display stronger Notch insufficiency. This insufficiency could be due to reduced ability of Abruptex proteins to interact with Notch ligands and/or to form functional Notch dimers.     

Involvement of a proline-rich motif and RING-H2 finger of Deltex in the regulation of Notch signaling

The Notch pathway is an evolutionarily conserved signaling mechanism that is essential for cell-cell interactions. The Drosophila deltex gene regulates Notch signaling in a positive manner, and its gene product physically interacts with the intracellular domain of Notch through its N-terminal domain. Deltex has two other domains that are presumably involved in protein-protein interactions: a proline-rich motif that binds to SH3-domains, and a RING-H2 finger motif. Using an overexpression assay, we have analyzed the functional involvement of these Deltex domains in Notch signaling. The N-terminal domain of Deltex that binds to the CDC10/Ankyrin repeats of the Notch intracellular domain was indispensable for the function of Deltex. A mutant form of Deltex that lacked the proline-rich motif behaved as a dominant-negative form. This dominant-negative Deltex inhibited Notch signaling upstream of an activated, nuclear form of Notch and downstream of full-length Notch, suggesting the dominant-negative Deltex might prevent the activation of the Notch receptor. We found that Deltex formed a homo-multimer, and mutations in the RING-H2 finger domain abolished this oligomerization. The same mutations in the RING-H2 finger motif of Deltex disrupted the function of Deltex in vivo. However, when the same mutant was fused to a heterologous dimerization domain (Glutathione-S-Transferase), the chimeric protein had normal Deltex activity. Therefore, oligomerization mediated by the RING-H2 finger motif is an integral step in the signaling function of Deltex.     

Genetic characterization of the Drosophila melanogaster Suppressor of deltex gene: A regulator of notch signaling.

The Notch receptor signaling pathway regulates cell differentiation during the development of multicellular organisms. A number of genes are known to be components of the pathway or regulators of the Notch signal. One candidate for a modifier of Notch function is the Drosophila Suppressor of deltex gene [Su(dx)]. We have isolated four new alleles of Su(dx) and mapped the gene between 22B4 and 22C2. Loss-of-function Su(dx) mutations were found to suppress phenotypes resulting from loss-of-function of Notch signaling and to enhance gain-of-function Notch mutations. Hairless, a mutation in a known negative regulator of the Notch pathway, was also enhanced by Su(dx). Phenotypes were identified for Su(dx) in wing vein development, and a role was demonstrated for the gene between 20 and 30 hr after puparium formation. This corresponds to the period when the Notch protein is involved in refining the vein competent territories. Taken together, our data indicate a role for Su(dx) as a negative regulator of Notch function.     

Notch‐1 signaling is lost in prostate adenocarcinoma and promotes PTEN gene expression

Prostate tumorigenesis is associated with loss of PTEN gene expression. We and others have recently reported that PTEN is regulated by Notch‐1 signaling. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that alterations of the Notch‐1 signaling pathway are present in human prostate adenocarcinoma and that Notch‐1 signaling regulates PTEN gene expression in prostate cells. Prostate adenocarcinoma cases were examined by immunohistochemistry for ligand cleaved (activated) Notch‐1 protein. Tumor foci exhibited little cleaved Notch‐1 protein, but expression was observed in benign tissue. Both tumor and benign tissue expressed total (uncleaved) Notch‐1. Reduced Hey‐1 expression was seen in tumor foci but not in benign tissue, confirming loss of Notch‐1 signaling in prostate adenocarcinoma. Retroviral expression of constitutively active Notch‐1 in human prostate tumor cell lines resulted in increased PTEN gene expression. Incubation of prostate cell lines with the Notch‐1 ligand, Delta, resulted in increased PTEN expression indicating that endogenous Notch‐1 regulates PTEN gene expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated that CBF‐1 was bound to the PTEN promoter. These data collectively indicate that defects in Notch‐1 signaling may play a role in human prostate tumor formation in part via a mechanism that involves regulation of the PTEN tumor suppressor gene. J. Cell. Biochem. 107: 992–1001, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

A role for the Drosophila neurogenic genes in mesoderm differentiation

The neurogenic genes of Drosophila have long been known to regulate cell fate decisions in the developing ectoderm. In this paper we show that these genes also control mesoderm development. Embryonic cells that express the muscle-specific gene nautilus are overproduced in each of seven neurogenic mutants (Notch, Delta, Enhancer of split, big brain, mastermind, neuralized, and almondex), at the apparent expense of neighboring, nonexpressing mesodermal cells. The mesodermal defect does not appear to be a simple consequence of associated neural hypertrophy, suggesting that the neurogenic genes may function similarly and independently in establishing cell fates in both ectoderm and mesoderm. Altered patterns of beta 3-tubulin and myosin heavy chain gene expression in the mutants indicate a role for the neurogenic genes in development of most visceral and somatic muscles. We propose that the signal produced by the neurogenic genes is a general one, effective in both ectoderm and mesoderm.     

The loss of Drosophila APG4/AUT2 function modifies the phenotypes of cut and Notch signaling pathway mutants

A P-element line ( P0997) of Drosophila melanogaster in which the P element disrupts the Drosophila homolog of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene APG4/AUT2 was identified during the course of screening for cut ( ct) modifiers. The yeast gene APG4/AUT2 encodes a cysteine endoprotease directed against Apg8/Aut7 and is necessary for autophagy. The P0997 mutation enhances the wing margin loss associated with ct mutations, and also modifies the wing and eye phenotypes of Notch (N), Serrate (Ser), Delta (Dl), Hairless (H), deltex (dx), vestigial (vg) and strawberry notch (sno) mutants. These results therefore suggest an unexpected link between autophagy and the Notch signaling pathway.     

Wingless modulates the effects of dominant negative notch molecules in the developing wing of Drosophila

The development and patterning of the wing in Drosophila relies on a sequence of cell interactions molecularly driven by a number of ligands and receptors. Genetic analysis indicates that a receptor encoded by the Notch gene and a signal encoded by the wingless gene play a number of interdependent roles in this process and display very strong functional interactions. At certain times and places, during wing development, the expression of wingless requires Notch activity and that of its ligands Delta and Serrate. This has led to the proposal that all the interactions between Notch and wingless can be understood in terms of this regulatory relationship. Here we have tested this proposal by analysing interactions between Delta- and Serrate-activated Notch signalling and Wingless signalling during wing development and patterning. We find that the cell death caused by expressing dominant negative Notch molecules during wing development cannot be rescued by coexpressing Nintra. This suggests that the dominant negative Notch molecules cannot only disrupt Delta and Serrate signalling but can also disrupt signalling through another pathway. One possibility is the Wingless signalling pathway as the cell death caused by expressing dominant negative Notch molecules can be rescued by activating Wingless signalling. Furthermore, we observe that the outcome of the interactions between Notch and Wingless signalling differs when we activate Wingless signalling by expressing either Wingless itself or an activated form of the Armadillo. For example, the effect of expressing the activated form of Armadillo with a dominant negative Notch on the patterning of sense organ precursors in the wing resembles the effects of expressing Wingless alone. This result suggests that signalling activated by Wingless leads to two effects, a reduction of Notch signalling and an activation of Armadillo.     

Mind bomb-2 is an E3 ligase for Notch ligand

The zebrafish gene, mind bomb (mib), encodes a protein that positively regulates of the Delta-mediated Notch signaling. It interacts with the intracellular domain of Delta to promote its ubiquitination and endocytosis. In our search for the mouse homologue of zebrafish mind bomb, we cloned two homologues in the mouse genome: a mouse orthologue (mouse mib1) and a paralogue, named mind bomb-2 (mib2), which is evolutionarily conserved from Drosophila to human. Both Mib1 and Mib2 have an E3 ubiquitin ligase activity in their C-terminal RING domain and interact with Xenopus Delta (XD) via their N-terminal region. Mib2 is also able to ligate ubiquitin to XD and shift the membrane localization of Delta to intracellular vesicles. Importantly, Mib2 rescues both the neuronal and vascular defects in the zebrafish mib(ta52b) mutants. In contrast to the functional similarities between Mib1 and Mib2, mib2 is highly expressed in adult tissues, but almost not at all in embryos, whereas mib1 is abundantly expressed in both embryos and adult tissues. These data suggest that Mib2 has functional similarities to Mib1, but might have distinct roles in Notch signaling as an E3 ubiquitin ligase.     

OSM-11 facilitates LIN-12 Notch signaling during Caenorhabditis elegans vulval development

Notch signaling is critical for cell fate decisions during development. Caenorhabditis elegans and vertebrate Notch ligands are more diverse than classical Drosophila Notch ligands, suggesting possible functional complexities. Here, we describe a developmental role in Notch signaling for OSM-11, which has been previously implicated in defecation and osmotic resistance in C. elegans. We find that complete loss of OSM-11 causes defects in vulval precursor cell (VPC) fate specification during vulval development consistent with decreased Notch signaling. OSM-11 is a secreted, diffusible protein that, like previously described C. elegans Delta, Serrate, and LAG-2 (DSL) ligands, can interact with the lineage defective-12 (LIN-12) Notch receptor extracellular domain. Additionally, OSM-11 and similar C. elegans proteins share a common motif with Notch ligands from other species in a sequence defined here as the Delta and OSM-11 (DOS) motif. osm-11 loss-of-function defects in vulval development are exacerbated by loss of other DOS-motif genes or by loss of the Notch ligand DSL-1, suggesting that DOS-motif and DSL proteins act together to activate Notch signaling in vivo. The mammalian DOS-motif protein Deltalike1 (DLK1) can substitute for OSM-11 in C. elegans development, suggesting that DOS-motif function is conserved across species. We hypothesize that C. elegans OSM-11 and homologous proteins act as coactivators for Notch receptors, allowing precise regulation of Notch receptor signaling in developmental programs in both vertebrates and invertebrates.     

Inactivation of the Huntington's disease gene (Hdh) impairs anterior streak formation and early patterning of the mouse embryo

Background

Delta, Notch, and Scabrous often function together to make different cell types and refine tissue patterns during Drosophila development. Delta is known as the ligand that triggers Notch receptor activity. Scabrous is known to bind Notch and promote Notch activity in response to Delta. It is not known if Scabrous binds Delta or Delta has activity other than its activity as a ligand of Notch. It is very difficult to clearly determine this binding or activity in vivo as all Notch, Delta, and Scabrous activities are required simultaneously or successively in an inter-dependent manner.

Results

Using Drosophila cultured cells we show that the full length Delta promotes accumulation of Daughterless protein, fringe RNA, and pangolin RNA in the absence of Scabrous or Notch. Scabrous binds Delta and suppresses this activity even though it increases the level of the Delta intracellular domain. We also show that Scabrous can promote Notch receptor activity, in the absence of Delta.

Conclusion

Delta has activity that is independent of its activity as a ligand of Notch. Scabrous suppresses this Delta activity. Scabrous also promotes Notch activity that is dependent on Delta's ligand activity. Thus, Notch, Delta, and Scabrous might function in complex combinatorial or mutually exclusive interactions during development. The data reported here will be of significant help in understanding these interactions in vivo.