extra macrochaetae , encoding Drosophila Id, controls apical cell shape in the hindgut epithelium

Inhibitor of DNA-binding (Id) transcription factor regulates the balance of cell differentiation and proliferation and is involved in organ morphogenesis in various species. Previously, we revealed that extra macrochaetae ( emc ), encoding the only Id protein in Drosophila , controls chirality of cell shape in hindgut epithelium. Here, to further understand functions of emc in cell-shape regulations, we analyzed apical cell shape in the hindgut epithelium of emc mutant embryos. We found that emc mutants showed expansion of their apical surface, but no abnormalities in cell differentiation and proliferation. Therefore, our results demonstrate that Id can control cell morphology without affecting specification and propagation of cells.