Integrin Adhesions Suppress Syncytium Formation in the Drosophila Larval Epidermis.

ABSTRACT: Integrins are critical for barrier epithelial architecture. Integrin loss in vertebrate skin leads to blistering and wound healing defects. However, how integrins and associated proteins maintain the regular morphology of epithelia is not well understood. We found that targeted knockdown of the integrin focal adhesion (FA) complex components β-integrin, PINCH, and integrin-linked kinase (ILK) caused formation of multinucleate epidermal cells within the Drosophila larval epidermis. This phenotype was specific to the integrin FA complex and not due to secondary effects on polarity or junctional structures. The multinucleate cells resembled the syncytia caused by physical wounding. Live imaging of wound-induced syncytium formation in the pupal epidermis suggested direct membrane breakdown lea

SUBMITTER: Wang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4558245 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature