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The ecdysone receptor signalling regulates microvilli formation in follicular epithelial cells

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Abstract

Epithelial morphogenesis contributes greatly to the development and homeostasis of the organs and body parts. Here, we analysed the consequences of impaired ecdysone receptor (EcR) signalling in the Drosophila follicular epithelium. Besides governing cell growth, the three EcR isoforms act redundantly in controlling follicle cell positioning. Flattening of the microvilli and an aberrant actin cytoskeleton arise from defective EcR signalling in follicle cells, and these defects impact on the organisation of the oocyte membrane. We found that this signalling governs a complex molecular network since its impairment affects key molecules as atypical protein kinase C and activated Moesin. Interestingly, the activity of the transcription factor Tramtrack69 isoform is required for microvilli and their actin core morphogenesis as well as for follicle cell positioning. In conclusion, our findings provide evidence of novel roles for EcR signalling and Tramtrack69 transcription factor in controlling stage-specific differentiation events that take place in the follicular epithelium.

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Acknowledgments

We thank M. Melli for her insightful discussions and valuable help in writing the manuscript. We also thank M. Ignesti, C. Gamberi and S. Gigliotti for their precious help in revising the manuscript. We thank P. Bellosta, R. Bernardoni, S. Campuzano, J. Casanova, C. Dahmann, A. Ephrussi, R. Fehon, P. Gallant, D. Hipfner, F. Payre and T. Schüpbach for their gifts of fly stocks and antibodies. We also thank the Bloomington Stock Center for providing us with fly stocks, and the Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank at the University of Iowa for supplying monoclonal antibodies. Finally, we thank Marco Privitera for his skilful graphic work. This work was supported by research grants from the University of Bologna to V. C. and G. G. (RFO2010, RFO2012, RFO2013).

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  1. Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie, FaBiT, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy

    Patrizia Romani, Giuseppe Gargiulo & Valeria Cavaliere

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  1. Patrizia Romani
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  2. Giuseppe Gargiulo
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Correspondence to Patrizia Romani or Valeria Cavaliere.

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Romani, P., Gargiulo, G. & Cavaliere, V. The ecdysone receptor signalling regulates microvilli formation in follicular epithelial cells. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 73, 409–425 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-015-1999-7

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