A novel regulator of growth signalling in Drosophila

这个项目旨在增加对生长因子激素如何调节生长的理解。在动物中，生长是由分泌的多肽激素激活的信号通路控制的。在果蝇中发现了一种新的生长调节因子，即膜攻击复合体/类穿孔素(MACPF)类蛋白质躯干。该项目旨在解开躯干状如何调节生长的功能，从而揭示这个蛋白质家族在所有动物中可能扮演的角色。这些发现有望为修改生长因子活性提供关键见解，生长因子活性在人类癌症和生长障碍中通常是不受调控的，并可能使设计新的策略来干扰昆虫发育以控制虫害。

This project aims to increase understanding of how growth is regulated by growth factor hormones. In animals, growth is controlled by signalling pathways that are activated by secreted peptide hormones. A new regulator of growth in the fruitfly Drosophila, the membrane attack complex/perforin-like (MACPF) protein Torso-like, has been identified. The project aims to unravel how Torso-like functions to regulate growth, thus throwing light on the role this protein family may play in all animals. The findings are expected to provide key insights into the modification of growth factor activity, which is often dysregulated in human cancers and growth disorders, and may enable the design of new strategies for interfering with insect development for pest control.