Measuring, modeling and manipulating cell communication in Drosophila egg development

We report a model-based analysis of a recently proposed mechanism in Drosophila oogenesis (Peri et al., 1999; Sapir et al., 1998; Wasserman and Freeman, 1998). Our model describes the spatial organization and the dynamics of autocrine and paracrine signaling through the Drosophila Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) (Casci and Freeman, 1999; Nilson and Schupbach, 1999; Perrimon and Perkins, 1997; Schweitzer and Shilo, 1997). We use the model to estimate the relative spatial ranges and time scales of the relevant feedback loops, to interpret the phenotypic transitions in eggshell morphology, and to predict the effects of new genetic manipulations.