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Drosophila PS2 and PS3 integrins play distinct roles in retinal photoreceptors–glia interactions
Author(s) -
Tavares Lígia,
Pereira Emiliana,
Correia Andreia,
Santos Marília A.,
Amaral Nuno,
Martins Torcato,
Relvas João B.,
Pereira Paulo S.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
glia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.954
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1098-1136
pISSN - 0894-1491
DOI - 10.1002/glia.22806
Subject(s) - biology , muller glia , neuroscience , retinal , drosophila (subgenus) , integrin , retina , microbiology and biotechnology , receptor , genetics , stem cell , botany , gene , progenitor cell
Cellular migration and differentiation are important developmental processes that require dynamic cellular adhesion. Integrins are heterodimeric transmembrane receptors that play key roles in adhesion plasticity. Here, we explore the developing visual system of Drosophila to study the roles of integrin heterodimers in glia development. Our data show that αPS2 is essential for retinal glia migration from the brain into the eye disc and that glial cells have a role in the maintenance of the fenestrated membrane (Laminin‐rich ECM layer) in the disc. Interestingly, the absence of glial cells in the eye disc did not affect the targeting of retinal axons to the optic stalk. In contrast, αPS3 is not required for retinal glia migration, but together with Talin, it functions in glial cells to allow photoreceptor axons to target the optic stalk. Thus, we present evidence that αPS2 and αPS3 integrin have different and specific functions in the development of retinal glia. GLIA 2015;63:1155–1165