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Review
. 2017 Feb 7;9(2):16.
doi: 10.3390/cancers9020016.

Epidermal Growth Factor Pathway Signaling in Drosophila Embryogenesis: Tools for Understanding Cancer

Affiliations
Review

Epidermal Growth Factor Pathway Signaling in Drosophila Embryogenesis: Tools for Understanding Cancer

Jay B Lusk et al. Cancers (Basel). .

Abstract

EGF signaling is a well-known oncogenic pathway in animals. It is also a key developmental pathway regulating terminal and dorsal-ventral patterning along with many other aspects of embryogenesis. In this review, we focus on the diverse roles for the EGF pathway in Drosophila embryogenesis. We review the existing body of evidence concerning EGF signaling in Drosophila embryogenesis focusing on current uncertainties in the field and areas for future study. This review provides a foundation for utilizing the Drosophila model system for research into EGF effects on cancer.

Keywords: Drosophila development; EGF signaling; MAP kinase; MEK; RAF; RAS.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Diagrammatic representation of the EGF signaling pathway. Question marks refer to the still unknown mechanism of Sprouty action.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The signaling pathways involved in dorsal-ventral patterning of the neuroectoderm as shown by a transverse section of an early stage embryo (Stage 5 just before gastrulation starts).

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