MAD DURING RETINAL DEVELOPMENT AND DROSOPHILA

转化生长因子-β信号转导通路在图案形成中的重要作用 在像秀丽隐杆线虫这样的各种生物的发育过程中， 黑腹果蝇、老鼠和人类。Smad蛋白的功能是 ALL中转化生长因子-β信号转导途径中的转录因子 并被认为与人类的癌症有关， 强调它们在发展进程中的重要性。《Smad》 随着Mad基因的发现，蛋白质家族首次被发现， 它在果蝇体内的转化生长因子-β同系物DPP下游发挥作用。 对MAD功能丧失突变的研究表明，它是 果蝇的成年视网膜形成图案所必需的。因为 果蝇的成体视网膜是可以研究的，并且已经 它具有广泛的特点，是阐明其机制的理想方法。 Mad和DPP途径在发育过程中发挥作用。学习 一种结构性激活的Mad蛋白对视网膜的影响 发展将使人们更好地理解MAD和 视网膜发育过程中的DPP途径。利用Mad中的突变来 分析DPP途径与其他基因的相互作用 显然参与了果蝇和果蝇视网膜发育的早期 脊椎动物，将阐明DPP和这些基因之间的关系。 最后，识别能够与Mad相互作用的基因将揭示 DPP信号转导机制及其他基因 参与视网膜发育。

TGF-Beta signal transduction pathways play important roles in patterning during development of organisms as diverse as Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, mice, and humans. Smad proteins function as transcription factors in TGF-Beta signal transduction pathways in all of these organisms, and have been implicated in cancer in humans, underscoring their importance in developmental processes. The Smad protein family was first identified with the discovery of the Mad gene, which functions downstream of the TGF-Beta homologue dpp in Drosophila. Study of loss-of-function mutations in Mad have revealed that it is required for patterning of the adult retina in Drosophila. Because the Drosophila adult retina is amenable to study and has already been extensively characterized, it is ideal for elucidating the mechanisms by which Mad and the dpp pathway function during development. Studying the effects of a constitutively activated Mad protein on retinal development will lead to a greater understanding of the role of Mad and the dpp pathway during retinal development. Using mutations in Mad to analyze the interactions between the dpp pathway and other genes apparently involved early in retinal development in both Drosophila and vertebrates, will clarify the relationships between dpp and these genes. Finally, identifying genes able to interact with Mad will reveal the mechanisms of dpp signal transduction, as well as additional genes involved in retinal development.