Posterior migration of the salivary gland requires an intact visceral mesoderm and integrin function.
The final overall shape of an organ and its position within the developing embryo arise as a consequence of both its intrinsic properties and its interactions with surrounding tissues. Here, we focus on the role of directed cell migration in shaping and positioning the Drosophila salivary gland. We demonstrate that the salivary gland turns and migrates along the visceral mesoderm to become properly oriented with respect to the overall embryo. We show that salivary gland posterior migration requires the activities of genes that position the visceral mesoderm precursors, such as heartless, thickveins, and tinman, but does not require a differentiated visceral mesoderm. We also demonstrate a role for integrin function in salivary gland migration. Although the mutations affecting salivary gland motility and directional migration cause defects in the final positioning of the salivary gland, most do not affect the length or diameter of the salivary gland tube. These findings suggest that salivary tube dimensions may be an intrinsic property of salivary gland cells.
Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Pamela L
PL
Bradley
Monn Monn
MM
Myat
Christy A
CA
Comeaux
Deborah J
DJ
Andrew
D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D004330:Drosophila / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian; D004627:Embryonic Induction; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D039001:Integrin alpha Chains; D016023:Integrins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000502:physiology*; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D009154:Mutation; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051496:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000196:embryology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014781:Viscera / Q000196:embryology*
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D039001:Integrin alpha Chains; D016023:Integrins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; C082188:if protein, Drosophila; C102933:tin protein, Drosophila; C090169:tkv protein, Drosophila; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D051496:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1; C102667:htl protein, Drosophila; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases