title: Basal Cell-Extracellular Matrix Adhesion Regulates Force Transmission during Tissue Morphogenesis.
abstract: Tissue morphogenesis requires force-generating mechanisms to organize cells into complex structures. Although many such mechanisms have been characterized, we know little about how forces are integrated across developing tissues. We provide evidence that integrin-mediated cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion modulates the transmission of apically generated tension during dorsal closure (DC) in Drosophila. Integrin-containing adhesive structures resembling focal adhesions were identified on the basal surface of the amnioserosa (AS), an extraembryonic epithelium essential for DC. Genetic modulation of integrin-mediated adhesion results in defective DC. Quantitative image analysis and laser ablation experiments reveal that basal cell-ECM adhesions provide resistance to apical cell displacements and force transmission between neighboring cells in the AS. Finally, we provide evidence for integrin-dependent force transmission to the AS substrate. Overall, we find that integrins regulate force transmission within and between cells, thereby playing an essential role in transmitting tension in developing tissues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Life Sciences Centre, 2350 Health Science Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.
authors.forename: Katharine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Goodwin
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Life Sciences Centre, 2350 Health Science Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.
authors.forename: Stephanie J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Life Sciences Centre, 2350 Health Science Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lostchuck
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zulueta-Coarasa
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada; Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G5, Canada; Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5S 1X8, Canada.
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fernandez-Gonzalez
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Life Sciences Centre, 2350 Health Science Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada. Electronic address: tanentz@mail.ubc.ca.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tanentzapf
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D004330:Drosophila / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000502:physiology; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000502:physiology; D022001:Focal Adhesions / Q000502:physiology; D016023:Integrins / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D016023:Integrins
keywords: Drosophila; cell-ECM adhesion; dorsal closure; focal adhesions; integrins; morphogenesis; tissue mechanics