Modulo is a target of Myc selectively required for growth of proliferative cells in Drosophila

In Drosophila, the homologue of the proto-oncogene Myc is a key regulator of both cell size and cell growth. The identities and roles of dMyc target genes in these processes, however, remain largely unexplored. Here, we investigate the function of the modulo (mod) gene, which encodes a nucleolus localized protein. In gain of function or loss of function experiments, we demonstrate that mod is directly controlled by dMyc. Strikingly, in proliferative imaginal cells, mod loss-of-function impairs both cell growth and cell size, whereas larval endoreplicative tissues grow normally. In contrast to dMyc, over-expressing Mod in wing imaginal discs is not sufficient to induce cell growth. Taken together, our results indicate that mod does not possess the full spectrum of dMyc activities, but is required selectively in proliferative cells to sustain their growth and to maintain their specific size.