Drosophila star proteins: what can be learned from flies?

Signal transduction and activation of RNA (STAR) family of RNA binding proteins are highly conserved through evolution indicating their core role during development, as well as in adult life. This chapter focuses on two Drosophila STAR proteins: held out wing (HOW), the ortholog of mammalian quaking (QKI) and Kep1, one of the four orthologs of mammalian Sam 68. I will emphasize the orthologs similarities in splicing pattern, functions and mode of actions of the two proteins relying on recent and earlier findings in the field. I will start with general description of the STAR proteins in Drosophila with an emphasis on their specific expression patterns.