Premium
Cell‐cell communication correlates with pattern formation in molting Manduca midgut epithelium
Author(s) -
Baldwin Kate M.,
Hakim Raziel S.,
Stanton Gregory B.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/aja.1001970402
Subject(s) - biology , manduca sexta , epithelium , midgut , microbiology and biotechnology , manduca , gap junction , columnar cell , moulting , cell , cell junction , anatomy , intracellular , biochemistry , larva , ecology , genetics
The midgut epithelium of larval Manduca sexta is constructed of single goblet cells surrounded by a one‐cell‐thick reticulum of columnar cells. This pattern is expanded at each molt by the addition of new cells. Between molts, these epithelial cells are not dye coupled, even though gap junctions are present. Proliferating stem cells are dye coupled in small groups early in the molt. Then, at mid‐molt, the whole epithelium temporarily becomes dye coupled. This is when the new (expanded) pattern is being established. Later, at the end of the molt, the epithelium returns to the non‐coupled state. These results suggest that cell communication via gap junctions may play a role in cell patterning. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.