FGF receptor dependent cell migration in Drosophila

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The formation of the mesoderm and the branched network of the tracheae in Drosophila is associated with cell migration, changes in cell shape and cell rearrangements. The morphogenesis of both of these tissues is controlled by the FGF signal transduction pathway. This project aims to identify the mechanism by which the components of the FGF signalling pathway cause motile behaviour. The first step will be to investigate the changes that occur within mesodermal and tracheal cells upon activation of the FGF signal transduction pathway. Initially a number of markers will be used to gain a detailed description of the cytoskeleton, the polarity and the subcellular events of the cells that take part in these morphogenetic processes in wildtype embryos. In addition, the specific cell contacts made by the mesoderm as it spreads out on the ectoderm will be investigated using electron microscopy. We will then study how these events are affected when the FGF signal transduction pathway is disrupted, and how the effects differ depending on the level of the signalling pathway at which the disruption occurs. The role of Dof in particular will be investigated by examining the extent to which mutant forms of the protein can rescue the defects in morphogenesis and activation of FGF target genes that are observed in Dof mutant embryos. It is hoped that this strategy will identify parts of the protein associated with distinct functions, especially those necessary for the link to the cytoskeleton, and shed light on the mechanisms by which the FGF signal transduction pathway affects cell migration.