Draper acts through the JNK pathway to control synchronous engulfment of dying germline cells by follicular epithelial cells.

ABSTRACT: The efficient removal of dead cells is an important process in animal development and homeostasis. Cell corpses are often engulfed by professional phagocytes such as macrophages. However, in some tissues with limited accessibility to circulating cells, engulfment is carried out by neighboring non-professional phagocytes such as epithelial cells. Here, we investigate the mechanism of corpse clearance in the Drosophila melanogaster ovary, a tissue that is closed to circulating cells. In degenerating egg chambers, dying germline cells are engulfed by the surrounding somatic follicular epithelium by unknown mechanisms. We show that the JNK pathway is activated and required in engulfing follicle cells. We find that the receptor Draper is also required in engulfing follicle cells, and activates

SUBMITTER: Etchegaray JI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3472587 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature