Myotube migration to cover and shape the testis of Drosophila depends on Heartless, Cadherin/Catenin, and myosin II

During metamorphosis, nascent testis myotubes migrate from the prospective seminal vesicle of the genital disc onto pupal testes and then further to cover the testes with multinucleated smooth-like muscles. Here we show that DWnt2 is likely required for determination of testis-relevant myoblasts on...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biology open 2017-12, Vol.6 (12), p.1876-1888
Main Authors: Rothenbusch-Fender, Silke, Fritzen, Katharina, Bischoff, Maik C, Buttgereit, Detlev, Oenel, Susanne F, Renkawitz-Pohl, Renate
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cadherins
Drosophila
DWnt2
FGF
Fibroblast growth factor receptors
Fibroblasts
Fruit flies
Growth factors
Heart
Insects
Metamorphosis
Migration
Muscles
Myoblasts
Myosin
Myotubes
RNA-mediated interference
Seminal vesicle
Sheaths
Signaling
Stumps
Testes
Testes tubules
Thisbe
Tubules
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Summary:During metamorphosis, nascent testis myotubes migrate from the prospective seminal vesicle of the genital disc onto pupal testes and then further to cover the testes with multinucleated smooth-like muscles. Here we show that DWnt2 is likely required for determination of testis-relevant myoblasts on the genital disc. Knock down of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) by RNAi and a dominant-negative version revealed multiple functions of Heartless, namely regulation of the amount of myoblasts on the genital disc, connection of seminal vesicles and testes, and migration of muscles along the testes. Live imaging indicated that the downstream effector Stumps is required for migration of testis myotubes on the testis towards the apical tip. After myoblast fusion, myosin II is needed for migration of nascent testis myotubes, in which Thisbe-dependent fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling is activated. Cadherin-N is essential for connecting these single myofibers and for creating a firm testis muscle sheath that shapes and stabilizes the testis tubule. Based on these results, we propose a model for the migration of testis myotubes in which nascent testis myotubes migrate as a collective onto and along the testis, dependent on FGF-regulated expression of myosin II.
ISSN:2046-6390
2046-6390
DOI:10.1242/bio.025940