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Role of the PS integrins in Drosophila development
Author(s) -
BROWER DANNY L,
BRABANT MARC C,
BUNCH THOMAS A
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
immunology and cell biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.999
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1440-1711
pISSN - 0818-9641
DOI - 10.1038/icb.1995.89
Subject(s) - integrin , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , extracellular matrix , morphogenesis , cell adhesion , receptor , collagen receptor , cell , gene , genetics
Summary The PS1 and PS2 integrins of Drosophila are heterodimers of α PS1 β PS and α PS2 β PS subunits, respectively, with very strong structural similarity to vertebrate integrins. Cell transfection experiments indicate that the PS integrins are receptors for extracellular matrix components and are functionally analogous to vertebrate integrins. Matrix ligands from Drosophila tissues have been identified for PS1 and PS2 integrins, using transformed cells and a cell‐spreading assay. Mutations in all three subunit genes have been identified, and the phenotypes of mutants indicate that PS integrins are required for the proper morphogenesis of a number of embryonic tissues. Using methods to produce genetic mosaics and transformation of integrin transgenes into whole animals, integrin functions in adult morphogenesis also have been examined. In the pupal wing, integrins are critically required to maintain the connection between dorsal and ventral epithelia, and recent results suggest that in early pupal development, the integrins are acting as specific receptors, as opposed to a non‐specific cell‐matrix glue.