Fasciclin II and Beaten path modulate intercellular adhesion in Drosophila larval visual organ development
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 26, 2026
Live-imaging of the Drosophila Pupal Eye
Published on: January 12, 2015
1Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309-0347, USA.
Abstract:
Previous studies demonstrated that Fasciclin II and Beaten path are necessary for regulating cell adhesion events that are important for motoneuron development in Drosophila. We observe that the cell adhesion molecule Fasciclin II and the secreted anti-adhesion molecule Beaten path have additional critical roles in the development of at least one set of sensory organs, the larval visual organs. Taken together, phenotypic analysis, genetic interactions, expression studies and rescue experiments suggest that, in normal development, secretion of Beaten path by cells of the optic lobes allows the Fasciclin II-expressing larval visual organ cells to detach from the optic lobes as a cohesive cell cluster. Our results also demonstrate that mechanisms guiding neuronal development may be shared between motoneurons and sensory organs, and provide evidence that titration of adhesion and anti-adhesion is critical for early steps in development of the larval visual system.
Insights
Fasciclin II and Beaten path regulate cell adhesion in Drosophila development. Their roles in visual organ detachment highlight shared neuronal development mechanisms and the importance of balancing adhesion and anti-adhesion.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Fasciclin II and Beaten path are known regulators of cell adhesion in Drosophila motoneuron development.
- Their precise roles in sensory organ development were previously unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functions of Fasciclin II and Beaten path in the development of Drosophila larval visual organs.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying visual organ detachment from optic lobes.
Main Methods:
- Phenotypic analysis
- Genetic interaction studies
- Gene expression analysis
- Rescue experiments
Main Results:
- Fasciclin II and Beaten path play critical roles in larval visual organ development.
- Beaten path secretion by optic lobe cells facilitates the detachment of Fasciclin II-expressing visual organ cells.
- These molecules ensure the cohesive detachment of visual organ cells as a cluster.
Conclusions:
- Mechanisms governing neuronal development are conserved between motoneurons and sensory organs.
- Titration of adhesion and anti-adhesion molecules is crucial for early larval visual system development.
