biostudies-literatureHalberg KANIDDK NIH HHSBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council11266https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC4833865biostudies-literatureUnknown7Multicellular organisms rely on cell adhesion molecules to coordinate cell-cell interactions, and to provide navigational cues during tissue formation. In Drosophila, Fasciclin 2 (Fas2) has been intensively studied due to its role in nervous system development and maintenance; yet, Fas2 is most abundantly expressed in the adult renal (Malpighian) tubule rather than in neuronal tissues. The role Fas2 serves in this epithelium is unknown. Here we show that Fas2 is essential to brush border maintenance in renal tubules of Drosophila. Fas2 is dynamically expressed during tubule morphogenesis, localizing to the brush border whenever the tissue is transport competent. Genetic manipulations of Fas2 expression levels impact on both microvilli length and organization, which in turn dramatically affect stimulated rates of fluid secretion by the tissue. Consequently, we demonstrate a radically different role for this well-known cell adhesion molecule, and propose that Fas2-mediated intermicrovillar homophilic adhesion complexes help stabilize the brush border.Nature communicationsThe cell adhesion molecule Fasciclin2 regulates brush border length and organization in Drosophila renal tubules.PMC4833865BB/L002647/1U54 DK100227R01 DK092408Dornan AJRainey SMDow JAVeland IRHalberg KANeuert HKlambt CDavies SAfalseThe cell adhesion molecule Fasciclin2 regulates brush border length and organization in Drosophila renal tubules.Multicellular organisms rely on cell adhesion molecules to coordinate cell-cell interactions, and to provide navigational cues during tissue formation. In Drosophila, Fasciclin 2 (Fas2) has been intensively studied due to its role in nervous system development and maintenance; yet, Fas2 is most abundantly expressed in the adult renal (Malpighian) tubule rather than in neuronal tissues. The role Fas2 serves in this epithelium is unknown. Here we show that Fas2 is essential to brush border maintenance in renal tubules of Drosophila. Fas2 is dynamically expressed during tubule morphogenesis, localizing to the brush border whenever the tissue is transport competent. Genetic manipulations of Fas2 expression levels impact on both microvilli length and organization, which in turn dramatically affect stimulated rates of fluid secretion by the tissue. Consequently, we demonstrate a radically different role for this well-known cell adhesion molecule, and propose that Fas2-mediated intermicrovillar homophilic adhesion complexes help stabilize the brush border.2016-01-01T00:00:00Z2016 Apr2025-04-25T17:37:48.979Z2019-03-27T02:11:42ZS-EPMC48338652707207210.1038/ncomms11266