Glial chain migration requires pioneer cells.
The migration of glial chains along the nerve entails directional and coordinated movement. Despite its importance in the formation of the nervous system, this process remains poorly understood, because of the difficulty of manipulating identified cells. Using confocal time-lapse and cell ablation in the whole animal, we provide direct evidence for a discrete number of Drosophila peripheral glial cells acting as pioneers and guiding the rest of the migratory chain. These cells are in direct contact with several follower cells through a very long and stable cytoplasmic extension. The presence of pioneer cells and homotypic interactions at the tip of the chain allows coordinated movement and the formation of a continuous sheath around the nerve. These in vivo data open novel perspectives for understanding the cellular bases of vertebrate glial migration in physiological and pathological conditions.
Aigouy
Benoît
B
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université Louis Pasteur, Illkirch, Communauté Urbaine de Strasbourg, France.
Lepelletier
Léa
L
Giangrande
Angela
A
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D004330:Drosophila; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006358:Hot Temperature; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins