Mechanism of induction ofBar-like eye malformation by transient overexpression ofBar homeobox genes inDrosophila melanogaster

Abstract
TheBar locus ofDrosophila is known to be a small complex consisting of two similar homeobox genes,BarH1 andBarH2. Usingegr as an ommatidium marker, possible mechanisms of formation of malformed eyes were examined. As in the case ofBarH1, overexpression ofBarH2 was found to be capable of inducingBar-like eye malformation. It was suggested that suppression of the anterior progression of the morphogenetic furrow and inhibition of reinitiation of normal ommatidial differentiation were mandatory to formation of the reduced eye morphology inBar mutants.