---
pmid: '11060234'
title: 'Temporally restricted expression of transcription factor betaFTZ-F1: significance
  for embryogenesis, molting and metamorphosis in Drosophila melanogaster.'
authors:
- Yamada M
- Murata T
- Hirose S
- Lavorgna G
- Suzuki E
- Ueda H
journal: Development
year: '2000'
full_text_available: false
doi: 10.1242/dev.127.23.5083
pubmed_publication_types:
- Journal Article
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
publication_type: PRIMARY_RESEARCH
---

# Temporally restricted expression of transcription factor betaFTZ-F1: significance for embryogenesis, molting and metamorphosis in Drosophila melanogaster.
**Authors:** Yamada M, Murata T, Hirose S, Lavorgna G, Suzuki E, Ueda H
**Journal:** Development (2000)
**DOI:** [10.1242/dev.127.23.5083](https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.127.23.5083)

## Abstract

1. Development. 2000 Dec;127(23):5083-92. doi: 10.1242/dev.127.23.5083.

Temporally restricted expression of transcription factor betaFTZ-F1:
significance for embryogenesis, molting and metamorphosis in Drosophila
melanogaster.

Yamada M(1), Murata T, Hirose S, Lavorgna G, Suzuki E, Ueda H.

Author information:
(1)Department of Genetics, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, and
Department of Developmental Genetics, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima,
Shizuoka-ken 411-8540, Japan.

FTZ-F1, a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, has been implicated in the
activation of the segmentation gene fushi tarazu during early embryogenesis of
Drosophila melanogaster. We found that an isoform of FTZ-F1, betaFTZ-F1, is
expressed in the nuclei of almost all tissues slightly before the first and
second larval ecdysis and before pupation. Severely affected ftz-f1 mutants
display an embryonic lethal phenotype, but can be rescued by ectopic expression
of betaFTZ-F1 during the period of endogenous betaFTZ-F1 expression in the wild
type. The resulting larvae are not able to molt, but this activity is rescued
again by forced expression of betaFTZ-F1, allowing progression to the next
larval instar stage. On the other hand, premature expression of betaFTZ-F1 in
wild-type larvae at mid-first instar or mid-second instar stages causes defects
in the molting process. Sensitive periods were found to be around the time of
peak ecdysteroid levels and slightly before the start of endogenous betaFTZ-F1
expression. A hypomorphic ftz-f1 mutant that arrests in the prepupal stage can
also be rescued by ectopic, time-specific expression of betaFTZ-F1. Failure of
salivary gland histolysis, one of the phenotypes of the ftz-f1 mutant, is
rescued by forced expression of the ftz-f1 downstream gene BR-C during the late
prepupal period. These results suggest that betaFTZ-F1 regulates genes
associated with ecdysis and metamorphosis, and that the exact timing of its
action in the ecdysone-induced gene cascade is important for proper development.

DOI: 10.1242/dev.127.23.5083
PMID: 11060234 [Indexed for MEDLINE]