D-raf in Drosophila Signal Transduction

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The long term objective of this project is to define the role of D-raf mediated signal transduction in the establishment and elaboration of pattern in Drosophila melanogaster. The specific aims of this project are as follows: 1) to test the model that activation of D-raf as a serine/threonine kinase depends upon induction of the "terminal" signal transduction pathway, 2) to characterize the pattern of D-raf protein distribution in development, and 3) to identify genes encoding other members of D-raf mediated signal transduction pathways. Since D-raf is the Drosophila homologue of the Raf-1 proto-oncogene, the characterization of its developmental role and the determination of its mechanisms(s) of regulation will provide clues toward understanding signal transduction in higher organisms. Experiments have been designed in this proposal to address the following questions. Does the D-raf protein display a serine/threonine kinase activity as predicted by its homology with Raf-1? Is there a relationship between the phosphorylation state of D-raf and its ability to act as a serine/threonine kinase? Where in the cell, and at what developmental stages is the D-raf protein present? What other types of gene products act in D-raf mediated signal transduction pathways? These questions will be answered using cell biological, genetic and molecular means.