Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Gap junctions are non-randomly distributed inDrosophila wing discs

  • Rapid Communication
  • Published:
Wilhelm Roux's archives of developmental biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The distribution of gap junctions in mature larvalDrosophila melanogaster wing discs was analyzed by means of quantitative electron microscopy. Gap junctions are non-randomly distributed in the proximal-distal disc axis and in the apical-basal cell axis of the epithelium. In the epithelial cells, the surface density, number and length of gap junctions are greatest in the apical cell region and distal disc region. The average gap junction surface density is 0.0572 μm−1 and 2.77% of the lateral cell surface is composed of gap junctions. In the adepithelial cells, the gap junction surface density is 0.0005 μm−1 and 0.06% of the cell surface is composed of gap junctions. No gap junctions were observed between epithelial cells and adepithelial cells. The absolute area of gap junctions was estimated in a proximal-distal strip of cells in the disc and is considerably less in the folded regions of the epithelium compared to the flat notum and wing pouch regions. The results are discussed with respect to pattern formation and growth control in imaginal discs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Benedetti EL, Dunia I, Bentzel CJ, Vermorken AJM, Kibbelaar M, Bloemendal H (1976) A portrait of plasma membrane specializations in eye lens epithelium and fibers. Biochim Biophys Acta 457:353–384

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett MVL, Goodenough DA (1978) Gap junctions, electronic coupling and intercellular communication. Neurosci Res Programm Bull 16:373–486

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett MVL, Spray DC, Harris AL (1981) Gap junctions and development. Trends Neurosci 3:159–163

    Google Scholar 

  • Bryant PJ (1975) Pattern formation in the imaginal wing disc ofDrosophila melanogaster: fate map, regeneration and duplication. J Exp Biol 193:49–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Bryant SV, French V, Bryant PJ (1981) Distal regeneration and symmetry. Science 212:993–1002

    Google Scholar 

  • Caveney S, Podgorski C (1975) Intercellular communication in a positional field. Ultrastructural correlates and tracer analysis of communication between insect epidermal cells. Tissue and Cell 7:559–574

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Crick F (1970) Diffusion in embryogenesis. Nature 225:420–422

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eichenberger-Glinz S (1979) Intercellular junctions during development and in tissue cultures ofDrosophila melanogaster: an electromicroscope study. Wilhelm Roux's Arch 186:333–349

    Google Scholar 

  • Gabella G, Blundell D (1981) Gap junctions of the muscles of the small and large intestine. Cell Tissue Res 219:469–488

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gilula NB, Reeves OR, Steinbach A (1972) Metabolic coupling, ionic coupling and cell contacts. Nature 235:262–267

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goodenough DA (1978) Gap junction dynamics and intercellular communication. Pharmacol Rev 30:383–392

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Griepp EB, Revel J-P (1977) Gap junctions in development. In: Demello WC (ed) Intercellular communication. Plenum Press, New York, pp 1–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Haynie JL, Bryant PJ (1976) Intercalary regneration in imaginal wing disks ofDrosophila melanogaster. Nature 259:659–662

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hooper ML, Subak-Sharpe JH (1981) Metabolic cooperation between cells. Int Rev Cytol 69:45–104

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lane NJ, Skaer HleB (1980) Intercellular junctions in insect tissues. Adv Insect Physiol 15:35–213

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowenstein WR (1979) Junctional intercellular communication and the control of growth. Biochim Biophys Acta 560:1–65

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Poodry CA, Schneiderman HA (1970) The ultrastructure of the developing leg ofDrosophila melanogaster. Wilhelm Roux's Arch 166:1–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Revel J-P, Karnovsky MJ (1967) Hexagonal array of subunites in intercellular junctions of the mouse heart and liver. J Cell Biol 33:C7-C12

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schneider-Picard G, Carpentier J-L, Orci L (1980) Quantitative evaluation of gap junctions during development of the brown adipose tissue. J Lipid Res 21:600–607

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Weir MP, Lo CW (1982) Gap junction communication compartments in theDrosophila wing disc. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 79:3232–3235

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Williams MA (1977) Quantitative methods in bilogy. In: Glauert AM (ed) Practical methods in electron microscopy, vol. 6. North Holland, New York, p 40

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolpert L (1978) Gap junctions: channels for communication in development. In: Feldman J, Gilula NB, Pitts Jd (eds) Intercellular junctions and synapses. Chapman and Hall, London, pp 83–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Yancey SB, Easter D, Revel J-P (1979) Cytological changes in gap junctions during liver regeneration. J Ultrastruct Res 67:229–242

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, St. Louis University School of Medicine, 1402 South Grand Blvd., 63104, St. Louis, Missouri, USA

    Jan Stephen Ryerse

Authors
  1. Jan Stephen Ryerse
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ryerse, J.S. Gap junctions are non-randomly distributed inDrosophila wing discs. Wilhelm Roux' Archiv 191, 335–339 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00848494

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00848494

Key words

Search

Navigation