C H A P T E R 02

Development of the Drosophila body plan

Principles of Development 4e Wolpert/Tickle Copyright © 2011 by Oxford University Press

 •Pathways involved in developmental processes
conserved between organisms
– Homologous Genes

•Model Organisms used to discover and

manipulate the pathways

•In order to understand molecular mechanisms

involved in development, need to know basic
morphology

Principles of Development 4e Wolpert/Tickle Copyright © 2011 by Oxford University Press

 Micropyle: anterior end
egg

larvae

pupae

Fig. 2.1

Principles of Development 4e Wolpert/Tickle Copyright © 2011 by Oxford University Press

 Fig. 2.1

Principles of Development 4e Wolpert/Tickle Copyright © 2011 by Oxford University Press

 Fig. 2.2

Principles of Development 4e Wolpert/Tickle Copyright © 2011 by Oxford University Press

 Syncytial: nuclear division WITHOUT cellular division
(lots of nuceli in a single cell)

Pole cells: early embryonic cells set aside to make germ

line later in life.

Principles of Development 4e Wolpert/Tickle Copyright © 2011 by Oxford University Press

 cleavage

cellularization

gastrulation

segmentation

Principles of Development 4e Wolpert/Tickle Copyright © 2011 by Oxford University Press

 Gastrulation

Mesoderm
invaginating
Fig. 2.3

Principles of Development 4e Wolpert/Tickle Copyright © 2011 by Oxford University Press

 Fig. 2.4

Segments formed in embryo, will be found in adults 10 days later.

Principles of Development 4e Wolpert/Tickle Copyright © 2011 by Oxford University Press

 Segments on the larvae with denticles

Fig. 2.5

Principles of Development 4e Wolpert/Tickle Copyright © 2011 by Oxford University Press

 Imaginal Discs: sheets ofFig.epidermal 2.6
cells grow inside
Principles of Development 4e
larvae to make adult structures.
Wolpert/Tickle Copyright © 2011 by Oxford University Press
 How do we know the molecular basis of these steps?

Forward genetics!
Randomly mutate genes.

Examine phenotypes.

Which embryonic parts are missing?

Which larval parts are missing?

Map gene responsible.

Principles of Development 4e Wolpert/Tickle Copyright © 2011 by Oxford University Press

 Box 2A

Principles of Development 4e Wolpert/Tickle Copyright © 2011 by Oxford University Press

Patterning the Drosophila body plan
Setting up body axes!
Anterior / Posterior

Fig. 2.8

Principles of Development 4e Wolpert/Tickle Copyright © 2011 by Oxford University Press

Maternal
Effects
Widespread
phenomenon
across taxa

Development 136, 3033-3042 (2009) doi:10.1242/dev.033183

 • Maternal effect genes set up anterior-
posterior axis.
• Mutants lack
– Anterior
– Posterior
– Terminal Ends

Principles of Development 4e Wolpert/Tickle Copyright © 2011 by Oxford University Press

 Fig. 2.9

Principles of Development 4e Wolpert/Tickle Copyright © 2011 by Oxford University Press

Bicoid

mRNA

Fig. 2.10

mRNA
protein

Principles of Development 4e Wolpert/Tickle Copyright © 2011 by Oxford University Press

 Fig. 2.11

Principles of Development 4e Wolpert/Tickle Copyright © 2011 by Oxford University Press

 • Bicoid is necessary for head formation.
– No Bicoid, No head.

• Bicoid is sufficient for head formation.

– Extra Bicoid, Extra head.

Principles of Development 4e Wolpert/Tickle Copyright © 2011 by Oxford University Press

 Posterior

Fig. 2.12

Principles of Development 4e Wolpert/Tickle Copyright © 2011 by Oxford University Press

 Bicoid Caudal

Fig. 2.13

Principles of Development 4e Wolpert/Tickle Copyright © 2011 by Oxford University Press

 • Ligand Activated Receptor

– Receptor Protein sits in membrane all over

embryo

– Receptor only activated in poles

Principles of Development 4e Wolpert/Tickle Copyright © 2011 by Oxford University Press

 Extremities:
Receptor
everywhere

Ligand only at
Fig. 2.14
the poles

Principles of Development 4e Wolpert/Tickle Copyright © 2011 by Oxford University Press