Mothers against decapentaplegic explained

Mothers against decapentaplegic is a protein from the SMAD family that was discovered in Drosophila. During Drosophila research, it was found that a mutation in the gene in the mother repressed the gene decapentaplegic in the embryo. The phrase "Mothers against" was added as a humorous take-off on organizations opposing various issues e.g. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD); and based on a tradition of such unusual naming within the gene research community.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Several human homologues are known:

• Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 1
• Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2
• Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3
• Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4
• Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 5
• Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 6
• Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 7
• Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 9

Notes and References

1. News: Sonic Hedgehog, DICER, and the Problem With Naming Genes. White. Michael. September 26, 2014. Pacific Standard. October 20, 2018.
2. News: Gene of the month - Mothers Against Decapentaplegic. September 9, 2012. The Naked Scientists. October 20, 2018.
3. Web site: OMIM Entry - * 600993 - MOTHERS AGAINST DECAPENTAPLEGIC, DROSOPHILA, HOMOLOG OF, 4; SMAD4. January 18, 1996. Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man. Johns Hopkins University. October 20, 2018.