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The proapoptotic factors Reaper, Hid, Grim, and Sickle regulate apoptosis in Drosophila by inhibiting the antiapoptotic factor DIAP1 (Drosophila inhibitor of apoptosis 1). Heat, UV light, x-rays, and developmental signals can all increase the proapoptotic factors, but the control of transcription of the diap1 gene is unclear. We show that in imaginal discs the single Drosophila STAT protein (STAT92E) when activated can directly increase DIAP1 through binding to STAT DNA-binding sites in the diap1 promoter. The STAT92E contribution to DIAP1 production is required for cell survival after x-irradiation but not under unstressed conditions. Because DIAP1 prevents apoptosis after a variety of stresses, STAT92E may have a role in regulating stress responses in general.
Betz et al. (Tue,) studied this question.