Chitinase 6 is required for procuticle thickening and organ shape in Drosophila wing.
Insect Sci
; 30(2): 268-278, 2023 Apr.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36114809
ABSTRACT
The polysaccharide chitin is a major scaffolding molecule in the insect cuticle. In order to be functional, both chitin amounts and chitin organization have been shown to be important parameters. Despite great advances in the past decade, the molecular mechanisms of chitin synthesis and organization are not fully understood. Here, we have characterized the function of the Chitinase 6 (Cht6) in the formation of the wing, which is a simple flat cuticle organ, in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Reduction of Cht6 function by RNA interference during wing development does not affect chitin organization, but entails a thinner cuticle suggesting reduced chitin amounts. This phenotype is opposed to the one reported recently to be caused by reduction of Cht10 expression. Probably as a consequence, cuticle permeability to xenobiotics is enhanced in Cht6-less wings. We also observed massive deformation of these wings. In addition, the shape of the abdomen is markedly changed upon abdominal suppression of Cht6. Finally, we found that suppression of Cht6 transcript levels influences the expression of genes coding for enzymes of the chitin biosynthesis pathway. This finding indicates that wing epidermal cells respond to activity changes of Cht6 probably trying to adjust chitin amounts. Together, in a working model, we propose that Cht6-introduced modifications of chitin are needed for chitin synthesis to proceed correctly. Cuticle thickness, according to our hypothesis, is in turn required for correct organ or body part shape. The molecular mechanisms of this processes shall be characterized in the future.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Quitinasas
/
Proteínas de Drosophila
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Insect Sci
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
China