Drosophila PS2 and PS3 integrins play distinct roles in retinal photoreceptors-glia interactions.
Cellular migration and differentiation are important developmental processes that require dynamic cellular adhesion. Integrins are heterodimeric transmembrane receptors that play key roles in adhesion plasticity. Here, we explore the developing visual system of Drosophila to study the roles of integrin heterodimers in glia development. Our data show that αPS2 is essential for retinal glia migration from the brain into the eye disc and that glial cells have a role in the maintenance of the fenestrated membrane (Laminin-rich ECM layer) in the disc. Interestingly, the absence of glial cells in the eye disc did not affect the targeting of retinal axons to the optic stalk. In contrast, αPS3 is not required for retinal glia migration, but together with Talin, it functions in glial cells to allow photoreceptor axons to target the optic stalk. Thus, we present evidence that αPS2 and αPS3 integrin have different and specific functions in the development of retinal glia.
Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal; IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.
Lígia
L
Tavares
Emiliana
E
Pereira
Andreia
A
Correia
Marília A
MA
Santos
Nuno
N
Amaral
Torcato
T
Martins
João B
JB
Relvas
Paulo S
PS
Pereira
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D004330:Drosophila; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D039001:Integrin alpha Chains / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000502:physiology*; D020419:Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate / Q000502:physiology*; D034622:RNA Interference; D016608:Talin / Q000378:metabolism
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D039001:Integrin alpha Chains; D016608:Talin; C572269:alpha PS3 integrin, Drosophila; C082188:if protein, Drosophila
Drosophila; axon targeting; glia; integrins; migration; αPS2; αPS3