PARAMETERS OF CELL COMPETITION IN THE COMPARTMENTS OF THE WING DISK OF DROSOPHILA

When compartments in the wing disc of Drosophila are mosaic for two populations of cells, one of which is dividing more slowly, then the slower-growing population tends to be eliminated. The phenomenon leading to the disappearance of nonlethal, slowly dividing Minute cells was termed cell competition by Morata and Ripoll (1975) [Morata, G., and Ripoll, P. (1975). Develop. Biol. 427, 211-221]. In this paper the different parameters of cell competition are explored. Starvation of the larvae rescued the Minute clones and permitted the following observations: The Minute clones grow to some extent before being out-competed. Prior to their disappearance, they become fragmented into small patches. Cell competition is greater in the centre of compartments than in the boundary regions. Possible causes of cell competition are discussed, as well as the hypothesis that the phenomenon may be related to the control of growth. © 1979.