The Drosophila Ste20 family kinase dMST functions as a tumor suppressor by restricting cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis

Genes Dev. 2003 Oct 15;17(20):2514-9. doi: 10.1101/gad.1134003.

Abstract

In a genetic screen for mutations that restrict cell growth and organ size, we identified a new tumor suppressor gene, dMST, which encodes the Drosophila homolog of the mammalian Ste20 kinase family members MST1 and MST2. Loss-of-function mutations in dMST result in overgrown tissues containing more cells of normal size. dMST mutant cells exhibit elevated levels of Cyclin E and DIAP1, increased cell growth and proliferation, and impaired apoptosis. dMST forms a complex with Sav and Wts, two tumor suppressors also implicated in regulating both cell proliferation and apoptosis, suggesting that they act in common pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / physiology*
  • Cell Division / physiology*
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Drosophila / enzymology
  • Drosophila / genetics
  • Eye / pathology
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases