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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
680
Cytoneme-mediated cell-cell contacts for Hedgehog reception.
Laura González-Méndez1, Irene Seijo-Barandiarán1, Isabel Guerrero1
1Centro de Biología Molecular 'Severo Ochoa', Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
Elife
|August 22, 2017
Summary
Hedgehog (Hh) morphogen gradient formation in Drosophila involves cytonemes from both signal-producing and receiving cells. Patched receptor localization and cell-cell contact sites on cytonemes mediate Hh reception.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Morphogens establish concentration gradients crucial for tissue patterning.
- Specialized cellular protrusions called cytonemes are implicated in morphogen transport and signaling.
- Previous work showed Hedgehog (Hh) transport via vesicles along cytonemes in Drosophila epithelia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms of Hedgehog (Hh) signal reception and transfer.
- To determine the role of cytonemes from Hh-receiving cells in gradient formation.
- To elucidate the molecular players involved in Hh reception via cytonemes.
Main Methods:
- Live imaging of cytoneme dynamics in Drosophila epithelia.
- Immunolocalization of Hh pathway components, including Patched and Interference hedgehog (Ihog).
- Analysis of Hh gradient formation in the presence and absence of key receptors and co-receptors.
Main Results:
- Cytonemes extending from Hh-receiving cells actively contribute to Hh gradient formation.
- The canonical Hh receptor Patched localizes to receiving cell cytonemes.
- Hh reception occurs at membrane contact sites between sending and receiving cell cytonemes.
- Interference hedgehog (Ihog) and glypicans are essential for cytoneme-mediated Hh transfer and reception.
Conclusions:
- Hedgehog (Hh) signaling relies on direct cytoneme-to-cytoneme interactions for efficient morphogen reception.
- Specific contact sites between Hh-sending and Hh-receiving cytonemes facilitate morphogen presentation and uptake.
- This mechanism highlights a novel mode of intercellular communication in developmental patterning.
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