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The effects of the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, on the development of the Drosophila embryo

Strecker, Teresa Ruth and Li, Peng and McGhee, Sean Austin and Ham, Debby and Smith, Su Kyong and Schreck, Jennifer Ann and Youn, Sue Jung and Kon, Philantha Sue-Hwa (1995) The effects of the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, on the development of the Drosophila embryo. Roux's Archives of Developmental Biology, 204 (6). pp. 359-368. ISSN 0930-035X. doi:10.1007/BF00360481. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20170320-110004772

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Abstract

We have investigated the effects of the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, and five structural analogs on Drosophila development in an effort to identify steroid ligands that may play a role in the embryogenesis of this organism. Embryos were exposed to glucocorticoids either by direct culture in supplemented medium, or by examining embryos from adult flies raised on supplemented fly food. After exposure, embryos were examined for developmental defects. At a morphological level, exposure to dexamethasone disrupts the dorsolateral folding of the amnioserosa during germ band extension. In addition, germ band retraction and dorsal closure is also disrupted. The phenocritical period of these effects is within the first 4 h of embryogenesis. This response is dosage sensitive, with embryos responding to concentrations of dexamethasone ranging from 10^(−6) to 10^(−3)M. Furthermore, glucocorticoids which are closely related structural analogs of dexamethasone also disrupt germ band retraction and dorsal closure, while other tested steroids had no effect on embryonic development. At a molecular level, expression of the gene, Krüppel, is absent from the amnioserosa of dexamethasone-treated embryos. The cuticular phenocopy resulting from exposure to dexamethasone and related glucocorticoids is morphologically similar to the mutant phenotype associated with four genes required for germ band retraction, namely hindsight, serpent, tail-up and u-shaped. The results of this study represent the first association of a glucocorticoid with dose, stage and tissue specific effects on Drosophila development at both morphological and molecular levels.


Item Type:Article
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00360481DOIArticle
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF00360481PublisherArticle
Additional Information:© 1995 Springer-Verlag. Received: 12 August 1994; Accepted: 10 November 1994.
Subject Keywords:Drosophila; Steroids; Glucocorticoids; Embryogenesis Amnioserosa
Issue or Number:6
DOI:10.1007/BF00360481
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20170320-110004772
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20170320-110004772
Official Citation:Strecker, T.R., Li, P., McGhee, S.A. et al. Roux's Arch Dev Biol (1995) 204: 359. doi:10.1007/BF00360481
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:75240
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Tony Diaz
Deposited On:20 Mar 2017 18:28
Last Modified:15 Nov 2021 16:32

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