Canoe functions at the CNS midline glia in a complex with Shotgun and Wrapper-Nrx-IV during neuron-glia interactions

Development. 2011 Apr;138(8):1563-71. doi: 10.1242/dev.056192. Epub 2011 Mar 9.

Abstract

Vertebrates and insects alike use glial cells as intermediate targets to guide growing axons. Similar to vertebrate oligodendrocytes, Drosophila midline glia ensheath and separate axonal commissures. Neuron-glia interactions are crucial during these events, although the proteins involved remain largely unknown. Here, we show that Canoe (Cno), the Drosophila ortholog of AF-6, and the DE-cadherin Shotgun (Shg) are highly restricted to the interface between midline glia and commissural axons. cno mutant analysis, genetic interactions and co-immunoprecipitation assays unveil Cno function as a novel regulator of neuron-glia interactions, forming a complex with Shg, Wrapper and Neurexin IV, the homolog of vertebrate Caspr/paranodin. Our results also support additional functions of Cno, independent of adherens junctions, as a regulator of adhesion and signaling events in non-epithelial tissues.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cadherins / metabolism*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / metabolism*
  • Central Nervous System / cytology
  • Central Nervous System / metabolism*
  • Drosophila
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neuroglia / metabolism*
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding

Substances

  • Cadherins
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nrx protein, Drosophila
  • cno protein, Drosophila
  • shg protein, Drosophila
  • wrapper protein, Drosophila