title: Gradient formation of the TGF-beta homolog Dpp.
abstract: Secreted morphogens such as the Drosophila TGF-beta homolog Decapentaplegic (Dpp) are thought to spread through target tissues and form long-range concentration gradients providing positional information. Using a GFP-Dpp fusion, we monitored a TGF-beta family member trafficking in situ throughout the target tissue and forming a long-range concentration gradient. Evidence is presented that long-range Dpp movement involves Dpp receptor and Dynamin functions. We also show that the rates of endocytic trafficking and degradation determine Dpp signaling range. We propose a model where the gradient is formed via intracellular trafficking initiated by receptor-mediated endocytosis of the ligand in receiving cells with the gradient slope controlled by endocytic sorting of Dpp toward recycling versus degradation.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Zellbiologie und Genetik Pfotenhauerstrasse, 108 D-01307, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: E V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Entchev
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schwabedissen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: González-Gaitán
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D019521:Body Patterning; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology*; D034281:Dynamins; D004705:Endocytosis; D011992:Endosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000502:physiology; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013696:Temperature; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D020691:rab GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D019476:Insect Proteins; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; C064196:dpp protein, Drosophila; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases; D020691:rab GTP-Binding Proteins; D034281:Dynamins