The Ovo/Shavenbaby transcription factor specifies actin remodelling during epidermal differentiation in Drosophila.
In Drosophila, differentiation of the epidermis results in a stereotyped array of cells with F-actin-based extensions at their apical face. We identified Ovo/Shavenbaby (Svb) as a transcription factor that governs changes in epidermal cell shape. Svb is required for the formation of apical extensions and cells deficient in svb differentiate a smooth surface. In both the embryo and the adult, we show that Svb is necessary and sufficient for the cells to grow extensions and that the tight regulation of ovo/svb activity is critical for morphogenesis to occur correctly. We establish that Svb triggers early F-actin redistribution and is able to initiate the entire process of cytoskeletal remodelling, thereby defining it as a major regulator of epidermal differentiation.
Delon
Isabelle
I
Centre de Biologie du Développement, Bat 4R3, 118 Rte de Narbonne, 31062 cedex 4, Toulouse, France.
Chanut-Delalande
Hélène
H
Payre
François
F
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004330:Drosophila / Q000196:embryology; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D004817:Epidermis / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005123:Eye / Q000196:embryology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000196:embryology
D000199:Actins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C089512:ovo protein, Drosophila