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A GFP Complementation-based Dual-expression System for Assessing Cell-Cell Contact Mediated by Cytonemes in Live Drosophila Wing Imaginal Discs
Published on: August 22, 2025
Steep differences in wingless signaling trigger Myc-independent competitive cell interactions
Jean-Paul Vincent1, Golnar Kolahgar, Maria Gagliardi
1MRC National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK. jvincen@nimr.mrc.ac.uk
Developmental Cell
|August 16, 2011
Summary
Wingless (Wg) signaling differences drive cell competition in Drosophila wings. Notum, a Wnt inhibitor, amplifies these differences, triggering competition without involving Myc.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Cell competition
- Wnt signaling pathway
Background:
- Wnt signaling is crucial for development and implicated in cancer.
- Wingless (Wg), a Drosophila Wnt homolog, is known as a survival factor.
- Previous understanding suggested Wg is essential for wing cell survival.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Wingless (Wg) signaling in cell competition within Drosophila wing imaginal discs.
- To identify the molecular mechanisms underlying Wg signaling-dependent cell competition.
- To explore the involvement of Notum in this competitive process.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cell survival in the absence of Wingless (Wg) signaling.
- Investigating the effects of local autonomous overactivation of Wg signaling.
- Examining the role of Myc and Notum in Wg signaling-dependent cell competition.
Main Results:
- Prospective wing cells can survive without Wg if not surrounded by Wg-responding cells.
- Local Wg overactivation eliminates surrounding normal cells, indicating competitive interactions.
- This competition is independent of Myc but requires Notum, a Wnt inhibitor.
Conclusions:
- Relative differences in Wg signaling, not absolute levels, drive cell competition.
- Notum acts as an amplifier of local Wg signaling disparities.
- Notum may serve as an early trigger for Wg signaling-dependent cell competition.
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