In vivo imaging reveals different cellular functions for FGF and Dpp signaling in tracheal branching morphogenesis.
In the developing tracheal system of Drosophila melanogaster, six major branches arise by guided cell migration from a sac-like structure. The chemoattractant Branchless/FGF (Bnl) appears to guide cell migration and is essential for the formation of all tracheal branches, while Decapentaplegic (Dpp) signaling is strictly required for the formation of a subset of branches, the dorsal and ventral branches. Using in vivo confocal video microscopy, we find that the two signaling systems affect different cellular functions required for branching morphogenesis. Bnl/FGF signaling affects the formation of dynamic filopodia, possibly controlling cytoskeletal activity and motility as such, and Dpp controls cellular functions allowing branch morphogenesis and outgrowth.
Ribeiro
Carlos
C
Abteilung Zellbiologie, Biozentrum der Universität Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 70, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland.
Ebner
Andreas
A
Affolter
Markus
M
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D017344:Genes, Insect; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D009024:Morphogenesis; D011554:Pseudopodia / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014132:Trachea / Q000254:growth & development*
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D019476:Insect Proteins; C102644:bnl protein, Drosophila; C064196:dpp protein, Drosophila; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors