Cytonemes: cellular processes that project to the principal signaling center in Drosophila imaginal discs.
Wing imaginal disc cells in Drosophila develop by using information received from a signaling center associated with the anterior/posterior compartment border. We show here that disc cells have thin, actin-based extensions (cytonemes) that project to this signaling center. Cytonemes can be induced when cells from the lateral flanks of a wing disc are cultured next to cells from the A/P border or next to a source of fibroblast growth factor. Mouse limb bud cells also grow projections during a brief culture period, indicating that cytonemes are an attribute of both vertebrate and invertebrate cells. We suggest that cytonemes may be responsible for some forms of long-range cell-cell communication.
Ramírez-Weber
F A
FA
Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco 94143, USA.
Kornberg
T B
TB
D000199:Actins / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning; D002450:Cell Communication; D004330:Drosophila / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000502:physiology*; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology; D007814:Larva; D018878:Limb Buds; D051379:Mice; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development
D000199:Actins; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors