Developmental Cell
Volume 54, Issue 4, 24 August 2020, Pages 501-515.e9
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Article
Integration of Migratory Cells into a New Site In Vivo Requires Channel-Independent Functions of Innexins on Microtubules

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2020.06.024Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • Post-migratory border cells form new contacts in a multistep neolamination process

  • Innexins 2/3 are required in border cells and Innexin 4 in the germline for neolamination

  • Innexins 2/3 and 4 regulate microtubule abundance during neolamination

  • Innexins and microtubules brace new contacts against ongoing morphogenetic forces

Summary

During embryonic development and cancer metastasis, migratory cells must establish stable connections with new partners at their destinations. Here, we establish the Drosophila border cells as a model for this multistep process. During oogenesis, border cells delaminate from the follicular epithelium and migrate. When they reach their target, the oocyte, they undergo a stereotypical series of steps to adhere to it, then connect with another migrating epithelium. We identify gap-junction-forming innexin proteins as critical. Surprisingly, the channel function is dispensable. Instead, Innexins 2 and 3 function within the border cells, and Innexin 4 functions within the germline, to regulate microtubules. The microtubule-dependent border cell-oocyte interaction is essential to brace the cells against external morphogenetic forces. Thus, we establish an experimental model and use genetic, thermogenetic, and live-imaging approaches to uncover the contributions of Innexins and microtubules to a cell-biological process important in development and cancer.

Keywords

morphogenesis
neolamination
cell migration
gap junction
channel-independent
innexin
microtubule
Drosophila
oogenesis
border cells

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