Apical and lateral cell protrusions interconnect epithelial cells in live Drosophila wing imaginal discs

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Fabio Demontis - , Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (First author)
  • Christian Dahmann - , Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (Second author)

Abstract

Communication among cells by means of the exchange of signaling cues is important for tissue and organ development. Recent reports indicate that one way that signaling cues can be delivered is by movement along cellular protrusions interconnecting cells. Here, by using confocal laser scanning microscopy and three-dimensional rendering, we describe in Drosophila melanogaster wing imaginal discs lateral protrusions interconnecting cells of the columnar epithelium. Moreover, we identified protrusions of the apical surface of columnar cells that reached and apparently contacted cells of the overlying squamous epithelium. Both apical and lateral protrusions could be visualized by expression of Tkv-GFP, a green fluorescent protein (GFP) -tagged version of a receptor of the Dpp/BMP4 signaling molecule, and the endosome marker GFP-Rab5. Our results demonstrate a previously unexpected richness of cellular protrusions within wing imaginal discs and support the view that cellular protrusions may provide a means for exchanging signaling cues between cells.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3408-3418
Number of pages11
JournalDevelopmental Dynamics
Volume236
Issue number12
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2007
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

Scopus 37249052716

Keywords

DFG Classification of Subject Areas according to Review Boards

Subject groups, research areas, subject areas according to Destatis

Keywords

  • Drosophila, cell protrusion, microvilli, Prominin-like, Tkv, Rab5

Library keywords