The effect of Ribosomal protein S6 on Drosophila development

Ribosome protein S6 plays an important role in the process of cell cycle and apoptosis. We depleted S6 gene through RNA interference (RNAi) in Drosophila melanogaster and S2 cell, respectively. By observing the phenotype changes, analyzing cell proliferation and the change of cell cycle and apoptosis related genes, the results showed that depletion of S6 gene caused the the abnormal development of Drosophila larva, eyes wings and bristles, and arrested the S2 cell normal growth; apoptotic signals appeared in the wing discs; there was the abnormal expression of genes related with cell cycle and apoptosis. These dates indicated that reducing the expression of S6 protein caused the Drosophila abnormal phenotype, which was achieved by apoptosis.