Synchronous and symmetric migration of Drosophila caudal visceral mesoderm cells requires dual input by two FGF ligands.

ABSTRACT: Caudal visceral mesoderm (CVM) cells migrate synchronously towards the anterior of the Drosophila embryo as two distinct groups located on each side of the body, in order to specify longitudinal muscles that ensheath the gut. Little is known about the molecular cues that guide cells along this path, the longest migration of embryogenesis, except that they closely associate with trunk visceral mesoderm (TVM). The expression of the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) heartless and its ligands, pyramus (pyr) and thisbe (ths), within CVM and TVM cells, respectively, suggested FGF signaling may influence CVM cell guidance. In FGF mutants, CVM cells die before reaching the anterior region of the TVM. However, an earlier phenotype observed was that the two cell clusters lose direction and co

SUBMITTER: Kadam S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3265058 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature