Abstract
Secreted morphogens such as the Drosophila TGF-beta homolog Decapentaplegic (Dpp) are thought to spread through target tissues and form long-range concentration gradients providing positional information. Using a GFP-Dpp fusion, we monitored a TGF-beta family member trafficking in situ throughout the target tissue and forming a long-range concentration gradient. Evidence is presented that long-range Dpp movement involves Dpp receptor and Dynamin functions. We also show that the rates of endocytic trafficking and degradation determine Dpp signaling range. We propose a model where the gradient is formed via intracellular trafficking initiated by receptor-mediated endocytosis of the ligand in receiving cells with the gradient slope controlled by endocytic sorting of Dpp toward recycling versus degradation.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Animals, Genetically Modified
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Body Patterning*
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Drosophila Proteins*
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Drosophila melanogaster / anatomy & histology
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Drosophila melanogaster / embryology
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Drosophila melanogaster / physiology*
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Dynamins
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Endocytosis
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Endosomes / metabolism
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GTP Phosphohydrolases / genetics
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GTP Phosphohydrolases / metabolism
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Genes, Reporter
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Green Fluorescent Proteins
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Immunohistochemistry
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Insect Proteins / genetics*
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Insect Proteins / metabolism*
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Luminescent Proteins / genetics
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Luminescent Proteins / metabolism
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Protein Transport* / physiology
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
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Temperature
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Transforming Growth Factor beta / chemistry
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Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism*
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Wings, Animal / anatomy & histology
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Wings, Animal / physiology
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rab GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
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rab GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
Substances
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Drosophila Proteins
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Insect Proteins
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Luminescent Proteins
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins
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Transforming Growth Factor beta
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dpp protein, Drosophila
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Green Fluorescent Proteins
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GTP Phosphohydrolases
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rab GTP-Binding Proteins
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Dynamins