Src64 is required for ovarian ring canal morphogenesis during Drosophila oogenesis

The Src family of protein tyrosine kinases have been implicated as important regulators of cellular proliferation, differentiation and function. In order to understand further the role of Src family kinases, we have generated loss-of-function mutations in Src64, one of two Src family kinases known in Drosophila melanogaster. Animals with reduced Src64 function develop normally and are fully viable. However, Src64 female flies have reduced fertility, which is associated with the incomplete transfer of cytoplasm from nurse cells to the developing oocyte. Analysis of Src64 egg chambers showed defects in the ring canals that interconnect the oocyte and its 15 associated nurse cells. Src64 ring canals fail to accumulate the high levels of tyrosine phosphorylation that are normally present. Despite the reduced tyrosine phosphorylation, known ring canal components such as filamentous actin, a ring canal-specific product of the hu-li tai shao gene, and the kelch protein localize properly. However, Src64 ring canals are reduced in size and frequently degenerate. These results indicate that Src64 is required for the proper growth and stability of the ovarian ring canals.

SRC64 regulates the localization of a Tec-family kinase required for Drosophila ring canal growth

Mutation of the Src64 gene of Drosophila results in ovarian ring canal defects and reduced female fertility. We used a dosage-sensitive modifier screen to search for downstream components of the SRC64 signaling pathway. We show that mutations affecting Tec29, an essential gene encoding a member of the Tec family of protein tyrosine kinases, dominantly enhance the Src64 ring canal phenotype. Loss of Tec29 function in the female germline results in a phenotype strikingly similar to that caused by the loss of Src64 function. In each case, the ring canals are reduced in size and phosphotyrosine content. We further demonstrate that TEC29 localizes to the ring canal, and this subcellular localization requires Src64 function. These data suggest that TEC29 is a downstream target of SRC64, and that regulating TEC29 localization during ring canal growth may be a crucial SRC64 function.