The role of the immmunoglobulin superfamily proteins in the coordination of morphogenesis. (360G-Wellcome-079221_B_06_Z)

The coordinated interaction of different cell types is required for tissue morphogenesis and organ formation. Our labs have uncovered interactions between distinctive cell populations during myogenesis and nephrogenesis. In both tissues the immunoglobulin (Ig) domain protein superfamily mediates signalling between different cell types and these interactions lead to specific morphogenetic movements. We aim to understand, at the molecular level, how signalling through this pathway acts to coordinate the activity of different cell types to produce distinctive morphogenetic responses. The Ig domain superfamily of proteins interact in specific partnerships to alter each other's activity, leading to the recruitment and activation of cytoplasmic targets. However, the outcome in terms of cell differentiation is widely divergent depending on the developmental context, ranging from cell fusion, neuronal pathfinding, synaptogenesis, cell intercalation, cell sorting and apoptosis. By focusing on two developmental contexts in a genetically manipulable organism, Drosophila melanogaster, we aim to establish interactions, partners and targets common to this pathway as well as to pinpoint those that lead to the specificity of the cell response. Adopting genetic, biochemical and cell biological approaches will allow us to confirm known interactions, to identify new partners and to establish the function of specific binding partnerships.