Abstract
Generally, epithelial cells must organize in three dimensions to form functional tissue sheets. Here we investigate one such sheet, the Drosophila embryonic epidermis, and the morphogenetic processes organizing cells within it. We report that epidermal morphogenesis requires the proper distribution of the apical polarity determinant aPKC. Specifically, we find roles for the kinases GSK3 and aPKC in cellular alignment, asymmetric protein distribution, and adhesion during the development of this polarized tissue. Finally, we propose a model explaining how regulation of aPKC protein levels can reorganize both adhesion and the cytoskeleton.
Highlights
Epithelial structures are generated when groups of cells respond to signals defining their fate and organization
We investigated the function of aPKC in planar organization of the Drosophila embryonic epidermis. aPKC was enriched at the dorsal/ventral margins of epidermal cells
The apical polarity protein aPKC is asymmetrically distributed in epidermal cells During the final stages of embryonic development, epidermal cells undergo a morphogenetic change that transforms a disorganized epithelium into a structured, aligned, and organized epidermis
Summary
Epithelial structures are generated when groups of cells respond to signals defining their fate and organization. The apical polarity protein aPKC is asymmetrically distributed in epidermal cells During the final stages of embryonic development, epidermal cells undergo a morphogenetic change that transforms a disorganized epithelium into a structured, aligned, and organized epidermis. We investigated its role in morphogenesis by looking at aPKC mutant embryos, we did not observe a strong phenotype in denticle formation or alignment. These embryos lack pattern and obvious polarity, their cells do not secrete denticles, and all examined markers appear uniform (null or amorphic GSK3 maternal and zygotic mutant, Fig. 2 A-A’’’).
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