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Ren Q, Rao Y. The exit of axons and glial membrane from the developing Drosophila retina requires integrins. Mol Brain 2022; 15:2. [PMID: 34980203 PMCID: PMC8722191 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-021-00888-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Coordinated development of neurons and glia is essential for the establishment of neuronal circuits during embryonic development. In the developing Drosophila visual system, photoreceptor (R cell) axons and wrapping glial (WG) membrane extend from the eye disc through the optic stalk into the optic lobe. Extensive studies have identified a number of genes that control the establishment of R-cell axonal projection pattern in the optic lobe. The molecular mechanisms directing the exit of R-cell axons and WG membrane from the eye disc, however, remain unknown. In this study, we show that integrins are required in R cells for the extension of R-cell axons and WG membrane from the eye disc into the optic stalk. Knockdown of integrins in R cells but not WG caused the stalling of both R-cell axons and WG membrane in the eye disc. Interfering with the function of Rhea (i.e. the Drosophila ortholog of vertebrate talin and a key player of integrin-mediated adhesion), caused an identical stalling phenotype. These results support a key role for integrins on R-cell axons in directing R-cell axons and WG membrane to exit the eye disc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Ren
- McGill Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill University Health Centre, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, QC, H3G 1A4, Canada.,Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University Health Centre, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, QC, H3G 1A4, Canada
| | - Yong Rao
- McGill Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill University Health Centre, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, QC, H3G 1A4, Canada. .,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University Health Centre, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, QC, H3G 1A4, Canada. .,Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University Health Centre, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, QC, H3G 1A4, Canada. .,Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill University Health Centre, Room L7-136, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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