Role of endocytic trafficking during morphogenetic signaling

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Marcos A. González Gaitán
• Subject Area: Cell Biology
• Term: from 2002 to 2006
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5376353

In a developing organ, morphogens secreted from a restricted source instruct cells at a long distance about their positional information. We have previously established that long-range movement of the Dpp morphogen involves its planar transcytosis through the receiving cells rather than extracellular free diffusion. In this proposal we plan to perform an analysis of the dynamics of the Dpp morphogen gradient formation by planar transcytosis. Using GFP fusions, we will study online the kinetics of movement of Dpp, its receptor and the downstream signal transduction machinery, including the endosomal factor SARA and the transcription factor MAD. We will also analyse the dynamics of dispersion of other Drosophila TGF-b superfamily members and perform swap experiments with Dpp to dissect the domains involved in Dpp trafficking. Finally we will assess the role of endocytic trafficking factors and motor proteins during the in vivo movement of this signaling molecules. Our final goal is to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms directing the long range movement of morphogens during organogenesis.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants