An actomyosin-based barrier inhibits cell mixing at compartmental boundaries in Drosophila embryos.

ABSTRACT: Partitioning tissues into compartments that do not intermix is essential for the correct morphogenesis of animal embryos and organs. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain compartmental cell sorting, mainly differential adhesion, but also regulation of the cytoskeleton or of cell proliferation. Nevertheless, the molecular and cellular mechanisms that keep cells apart at boundaries remain unclear. Here we demonstrate, in early Drosophila melanogaster embryos, that actomyosin-based barriers stop cells from invading neighbouring compartments. Our analysis shows that cells can transiently invade neighbouring compartments, especially when they divide, but are then pushed back into their compartment of origin. Actomyosin cytoskeletal components are enriched at compartmental boundaries,

SUBMITTER: Monier B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4016768 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature