Spatially defined Dsh-Lgl interaction contributes to directional tissue morphogenesis.

Area of Science:

• Developmental biology
• Cell biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Epithelial morphogenesis is crucial for tissue structure.
• Drosophila embryonic epidermis exhibits complex cell organization and patterning.
• Understanding the molecular basis of cell alignment and polarity is key.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the cell biological mechanisms underlying epithelial morphogenesis in the Drosophila embryo.
• To identify molecules with asymmetric distribution and their role in epidermal tissue organization.
• To explore the function of basolateral determinants in planar organization.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of cell shapes and alignments in the Drosophila embryonic epidermis.
• Identification of molecules with asymmetric distribution within epidermal cells.
• Investigating the role of Lgl (Lethal giant larvae) in planar cell organization.

Main Results:

• Apical polarity determinants and adherens junctions localize to cell borders.
• Basolateral determinants, including Lgl, are enriched at anterior-posterior borders.
• Lgl demonstrates a novel function in planar organization, dependent on Dsh and myosin.

Conclusions:

• Apical-basal proteins can be independently utilized for epithelial morphogenesis.
• The study provides insights into the co-option of polarity proteins for tissue patterning.
• This mechanism is essential for the structural organization of the embryonic epidermis.