Understanding cell-cell and cell-environment interactions (2020-11-06)

Abstract

Cell migration is an essential process for the proper development of multicellular organisms. Most migrating cells need to travel through a dense extracellular matrix (ECM), a complex mixture of proteins and macromolecules that surround all cells and tissues. The extracellular protease AdamTS-B is expressed in both the embryonic trachea and wing imaginal disc. Loss of AdamTS-B in the trachea displays misshapen and shorter tracheal branches, whereas over-expression shows luminal cysts and extra long branches. We hypothesize that AdamTS-B is functioning in the tracheal lumen to allow proper cell elongation. Surprisingly, in the wing, gain and loss of AdamTS-B resulted in cell fate changes, functioning either through the EGFR or BMP pathways. We also examined more closely the role of slit in peripheral nervous system (PNS) neuronal migration. Through these studies we are starting to understand the complexities of cell-cell and cell-environment interactions.