The secreted cell signal Folded Gastrulation regulates glial morphogenesis and axon guidance in Drosophila.

ABSTRACT: During gastrulation in Drosophila, ventral cells change shape, undergoing synchronous apical constriction, to create the ventral furrow (VF). This process is affected in mutant embryos lacking zygotic function of the folded gastrulation (fog) gene, which encodes a putative secreted protein. Fog is an essential autocrine signal that induces cytoskeletal changes in invaginating VF cells. Here we show that Fog is also required for nervous system development. Fog is expressed by longitudinal glia in the central nervous system (CNS), and reducing its expression in glia causes defects in process extension and axon ensheathment. Glial Fog overexpression produces a disorganized glial lattice. Fog has a distinct set of functions in CNS neurons. Our data show that reduction or overexpression of Fog

SUBMITTER: Ratnaparkhi A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2041958 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature