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- Title
The epithelial polarity genes frazzled and GUK-holder adjust morphogen gradients to coordinate changes in cell position with cell fate specification.
- Authors
Xue, Yongqiang; Krishnan, Aravindan; Chahda, Juan Sebastian; Schweickart, Robert Allen; Sousa-Neves, Rui; Mizutani, Claudia Mieko
- Abstract
Morphogenetic gradients specify distinct cell populations within tissues. Originally, morphogens were conceived as substances that act on a static field of cells, yet cells usually move during development. Thus, the way cell fates are defined in moving cells remains a significant and largely unsolved problem. Here, we investigated this issue using spatial referencing of cells and 3D spatial statistics in the Drosophila blastoderm to reveal how cell density responds to morphogenetic activity. We show that the morphogen decapentaplegic (DPP) attracts cells towards its peak levels in the dorsal midline, whereas dorsal (DL) stalls them ventrally. We identified frazzled and GUK-holder as the downstream effectors regulated by these morphogens that constrict cells and provide the mechanical force necessary to draw cells dorsally. Surprisingly, GUKH and FRA modulate the DL and DPP gradient levels and this regulation creates a very precise mechanism of coordinating cell movement and fate specification.
- Subjects
CELL differentiation; BLASTODERM; CELL populations; GENES
- Publication
PLoS Biology, 2023, Vol 21, Issue 3, p1
- ISSN
1544-9173
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1371/journal.pbio.3002021