title: Dynamic analysis of the mesenchymal-epithelial transition of blood-brain barrier forming glia inDrosophila.
abstract: During development, many epithelia are formed by a mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). Here, we examine the major stages and underlying mechanisms of MET during blood-brain barrier formation inDrosophilaWe show that contact with the basal lamina is essential for the growth of the barrier-forming subperineurial glia (SPG). Septate junctions (SJs), which provide insulation of the paracellular space, are not required for MET, but are necessary for the establishment of polarized SPG membrane compartments.In vivotime-lapse imaging reveals that the Moody GPCR signaling pathway regulates SPG cell growth and shape, with different levels of signaling causing distinct phenotypes. Timely, well-coordinated SPG growth is essential for the uniform insertion of SJs and thus the insulating function of the barrier. To our knowledge, this is the first dynamicin vivoanalysis of all stages in the formation of a secondary epithelium, and of the key role trimeric G protein signaling plays in this important morphogenetic process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Gene Center, Center of Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM), University of Munich, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 25, Munich 81377, Germany.
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schwabe
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Gene Center, Center of Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM), University of Munich, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 25, Munich 81377, Germany.|Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave, New York, 10065-6399 NY, USA.
authors.forename: Xiaoling
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Gene Center, Center of Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM), University of Munich, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 25, Munich 81377, Germany gaul@genzentrum.lmu.de.
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3808-7557
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Gaul
keywords: Blood-brain barrier; Drosophila; Epithelial morphogenesis; GPCR signaling; MET