Drosophila big brain does not act as a water channel, but mediates cell adhesion

FEBS Lett. 2009 Jun 18;583(12):2077-82. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2009.05.035. Epub 2009 May 23.

Abstract

The neurogenic gene Drosophila big brain (bib) has a high sequence homology to aquaporin-4. However, its cellular functions in Drosophila neurogenesis have remained elusive. Here we investigated cell adhesion, and the ion and water permeability of Bib. The adhesive function was examined by a cell aggregation assay using L cells. Bib-transfected L cells formed aggregated clusters, while control-L cells remained as a single cell suspension. Ion permeation was not confirmed in L cells stably expressing Bib. When expressed in COS7 cells, Bib exhibited limited water permeability. This newly found cell adhesive function of Bib may be important for Drosophila neurogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aquaporin 4 / genetics
  • Aquaporin 4 / metabolism
  • Aquaporins / genetics
  • Aquaporins / physiology*
  • Biotinylation
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Adhesion / physiology*
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / physiology*
  • Gene Expression
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • L Cells
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Transfection

Substances

  • AQP4 protein, human
  • Aquaporin 4
  • Aquaporins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • bib protein, Drosophila
  • enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins