Ribaya, J.P., Ranmuthu, M., Copeland, J., Boyarskiy, S., Blair, A.P., Hay, B., Laski, F.A. (2009). The deubiquitinase emperor's thumb is a regulator of apoptosis in Drosophila.  Dev. Biol. 329(1): 25--35.

FBrf0207701

Research paper

We have characterized the gene emperor's thumb (et) and showed that it is required for the regulation of apoptosis in Drosophila. Loss-of-function mutations in et result in apoptosis associated with a decrease in the concentration of DIAP1. Overexpression of one form of et inhibits apoptosis, consistent with et having an anti-apoptotic function; however, overexpression of a second form of et induces apoptosis, indicating that the two forms of et may have competing functions. et encodes a protein deubiquitinase, suggesting it regulates apoptosis by controlling the stability of apoptotic regulatory proteins.