Drosophila warts--tumor suppressor and member of the myotonic dystrophy protein kinase family.

Tumor suppressor genes represent a broad class of genes that normally function in the negative regulation of cell proliferation. Loss-of-function mutations in these genes lead to unrestrained cell proliferation and tumor formation. A fundamental understanding of how tumor suppressor genes regulate cell proliferation and differentiation should reveal important aspects of signalling pathways and cell cycle control. A recent report describing the Drosophila tumor suppressor gene warts has implications in the study of the human myotonic dystrophy gene. These genes encode members of a cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase subfamily that includes other plant and animal orthologues.