Rescue of a Drosophila NF1 mutant phenotype by protein kinase A.

The, I; Hannigan, G E; Cowley, G S; Reginald, S; Zhong, Y; Gusella, J F; Hariharan, I K; Bernards, A · Science · 1997

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) tumor suppressor protein is thought to restrict cell proliferation by functioning as a Ras-specific guanosine triphosphatase-activating protein. However, Drosophila homozygous for null mutations of an NF1 homolog showed no obvious signs of perturbed Ras1-mediated signaling. Loss of NF1 resulted in a reduction in size of larvae, pupae, and adults. This size defect was not modified by manipulating Ras1 signaling but was restored by expression of activated adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase (PKA). Thus, NF1 and PKA appear to interact in a pathway that controls the overall growth of Drosophila.

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