Switching repulsion to attraction: changing responses to slit during transition in mesoderm migration.
Slit is secreted by cells at the midline of the central nervous system, where it binds to Roundabout (Robo) receptors and functions as a potent repellent. We found that migrating mesodermal cells in vivo respond to Slit as both an attractant and a repellent and that Robo receptors are required for both functions. Mesoderm cells expressing Robo receptors initially migrate away from Slit at the midline. A few hours after migration, these same cells change their behavior and require Robo to extend toward Slit-expressing muscle attachment sites. Thus, Slit functions as a chemoattractant to provide specificity for muscle patterning.
Kramer
S G
SG
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, 519 Life Sciences Addition, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
Kidd
T
T
Simpson
J H
JH
Goodman
C S
CS
D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning; D002459:Cell Fusion; D002465:Cell Movement; D004330:Drosophila / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D004817:Epidermis / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009132:Muscles / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D000097905:Roundabout Proteins
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D000097905:Roundabout Proteins; C421243:Robo2 protein, Drosophila; C066819:sli protein, Drosophila