The actin nucleator WASp is required for myoblast fusion during adult Drosophila myogenesis

Mukherjee, Priyankana ; Gildor, Boaz ; Shilo, Ben-Zion ; VijayRaghavan, K. ; Schejter, Eyal D. (2011) The actin nucleator WASp is required for myoblast fusion during adult Drosophila myogenesis Development, 138 . pp. 2347-2357. ISSN 0950-1991

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Official URL: http://dev.biologists.org/content/138/11/2347.abst...

Related URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/dev.055012

Abstract

Myoblast fusion provides a fundamental, conserved mechanism for muscle fiber growth. We demonstrate here that the functional contribution of Wsp, the Drosophila homolog of the conserved actin nucleation-promoting factor (NPF) WASp, is essential for myoblast fusion during the formation of muscles of the adult fly. Disruption of Wsp function results in complete arrest of myoblast fusion in all muscles examined. Wsp activity during adult Drosophila myogenesis is specifically required for muscle cell fusion and is crucial both for the formation of new muscle fibers and for the growth of muscles derived from persistent larval templates. Although Wsp is expressed both in fibers and individual myoblasts, its activity in either one of these cell types is sufficient. SCAR, a second major Arp2/3 NPF, is also required during adult myoblast fusion. Formation of fusion-associated actin 'foci' is dependent on Arp2/3 complex function, but appears to rely on a distinct, unknown nucleator. The comprehensive nature of these requirements identifies Arp2/3-based branched actin polymerization as a universal mechanism underlying myoblast fusion.

Item Type:Article
Source:Copyright of this article belongs to The Company of Biologists Ltd.
Keywords:Actin; Drosophila; Myoblast Fusion; WASp
ID Code:58608
Deposited On:31 Aug 2011 12:02
Last Modified:31 Aug 2011 12:02

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