Abstract

Morphogens have been linked to numerous developmental processes, including organ patterning and the control of organ size. Here we review how different experimental approaches have led to an unprecedented level of molecular knowledge about the patterning role of the Drosophila melanogaster morphogen Decapentaplegic (DPP, the homologue of vertebrate bone morphogenetic protein, or BMP), the first validated secreted morphogen. In addition, we discuss how little is known about the role of the DPP morphogen in the control of organ growth and organ size. Continued efforts to elucidate the role of DPP in D. melanogaster is likely to shed light on this fundamental question in the near future.

Author affiliations

1. Biozentrum der Universität Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 70, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland.
2. Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland.

Correspondence to: Markus Affolter¹ Email: markus.affolter@unibas.ch

Correspondence to: Konrad Basler² Email: konrad.basler@molbio.uzh.ch

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