Imaginal discs contain a population of cells, known as peripodial epithelium, that differ morphologically and genetically from the rest of imaginal cells. The peripodial epithelium has a small contribution to the adult epidermis, though it is essential for the eversion of the discs during metamorphosis. The genetic mechanisms that control the identity and cellular morphology of the peripodial epithelia are poorly understood. In this report,we investigate the mechanisms that pattern the peripodial side of the wing imaginal disc during early larval development. At this time, the activities of the Wingless (Wg) and Epidermal growth factor receptor (Egfr) signalling pathways specify the prospective wing and notum fields, respectively. We show that peripodial epithelium specification occurs in the absence of Wingless and Egfr signalling. The ectopic activity in the peripodial epithelium of any of these signalling pathways transforms the shape of peripodial cells from squamous to columnar and resets their gene expression profile. Furthermore,peripodial cells where Wingless signalling is ectopically active acquire hinge identity, while ectopic Egfr activation results in notum specification. These findings suggest that suppression of Wg and Egfr activities is an early step in the development of the peripodial epithelium of the wing discs.
Interviews with Biologists @ 100 conference speakers
Explore our interviews with keynote speakers from the Biologists @ 100 conference, hosted to celebrate our publisher’s 100th anniversary, where we discuss climate change and biodiversity with Hans-Otto Pörtner and Jane Francis, health and disease with Charles Swanton and emerging technologies with Manu Prakash and Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz.
Call for papers – Lifelong Development: the Maintenance, Regeneration and Plasticity of Tissues
Development invites you to submit your latest research to our upcoming special issue – Lifelong Development: the Maintenance, Regeneration and Plasticity of Tissues. This issue will be coordinated by Guest Editors Meritxell Huch (Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Germany) and Mansi Srivastava (Harvard University and Museum of Comparative Zoology, USA), working alongside our team of academic Editors. Submit your articles by 15 May 2025.
A case for broadening our view of mechanism in developmental biology
In this Perspective, B. Duygu Özpolat and colleagues survey researchers on their views on what it takes to infer mechanism in developmental biology. They examine what factors shape our idea of what we mean by ‘mechanism’ and suggest a path forward that embraces a broad outlook on the diversity of studies that advance knowledge in our field.
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