The cadherin Fat2 is required for planar cell polarity in the Drosophila ovary

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Ivana Viktorinová - , Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (First author)
  • Tina König - , Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (Author)
  • Karin Schlichting - , Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (Author)
  • Christian Dahmann - , Chair of Systems Biology and Genetics, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (Author)

Abstract

Planar cell polarity is an important characteristic of many epithelia. In the Drosophila wing, eye and abdomen, establishment of planar cell polarity requires the core planar cell polarity genes and two cadherins, Fat and Dachsous. Drosophila Fat2 is a cadherin related to Fat; however, its role during planar cell polarity has not been studied. Here, we have generated mutations in fat2 and show that Fat2 is required for the planar polarity of actin filament orientation at the basal side of ovarian follicle cells. Defects in actin filament orientation correlate with a failure of egg chambers to elongate during oogenesis. Using a functional fosmid-based fat2-GFP transgene, we show that the distribution of Fat2 protein in follicle cells is planar polarized and that Fat2 localizes where basal actin filaments terminate. Mosaic analysis demonstrates that Fat2 acts non-autonomously in follicle cells, indicating that Fat2 is required for the transmission of polarity information. Our results suggest a principal role for Fat-like cadherins during the establishment of planar cell polarity.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4123-4132
Number of pages10
JournalDevelopment (Cambridge)
Volume136
Issue number24
Publication statusPublished - 15 Dec 2009
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 71449094043

Keywords

DFG Classification of Subject Areas according to Review Boards

Subject groups, research areas, subject areas according to Destatis

Keywords

  • Drosophila, Ovary, Follicle cell, Cadherin, Fat2, Planar cell polarity