Mechanical tension along compartment boundary

通过边界将组织细分为非混合的细胞组，称为隔室，是动物发育的进化保守策略。在发育中的果蝇翅膀中，Hedgehog信号通路对于维持相邻的前（A）和后（P）隔室之间的边界非常重要。我们最近的研究结果表明，在这个A/P边界的细胞分选是由局部增加的机械张力对细胞债券沿着这个边界。该提议的第一个目的是测试Hedgehog信号通路在调节沿沿着A/P边界的机械张力中的作用。我们将结合联合收割机遗传学、已建立的激光消融技术和定量图像分析来测量在Hedgehog信号传导被诱导或受损的情况下细胞键的相对张力。马达蛋白肌球蛋白II是一种有助于机械张力的力发生器。该项目的第二个目的是测试肌球蛋白II在维持A/P边界中的作用。沿A/P边界沿着细胞分选的实时成像将与通过发色团辅助激光灭活的肌球蛋白II局部灭活相结合。该项目有望在组织发育的背景下获得信号通路和细胞力学之间联系的新见解。

Subdividing tissues by boundaries into non-intermingling sets of cells, termed compartments, is an evolutionarily conserved strategy of animal development. In the developing Drosophila wing, the Hedgehog signaling pathway is important for maintaining the boundary between adjacent anterior (A) and posterior (P) compartments. Our recent results show that cell sorting at this A/P boundary is guid-ed by a local increase in mechanical tension on cell bonds along this boundary. The first aim of this proposal is to test the role of the Hedgehog signaling pathway in regulating mechanical tension along the A/P boundary. We will combine genetics, established laser ablation technology, and quantitative image analysis to measure the relative tension on cell bonds in situations in which Hedgehog signaling is induced or compromised. The motor protein Myosin II is one force generator that contributes to mechanical tension. The second aim of this project is to test the role of Myosin II in maintaining the A/P boundary. Live imaging of cell sorting along the A/P boundary will be combined with the local inactivation of Myosin II by chromophore-assisted laser inactivation. This project promises to gain novel insights into the connections between signaling pathways and cell mechanics in the context of tissue development.