A regional regulatory axis shapes enteroendocrine cell morphology and function - PubMed
6 hours ago
- #Enteroendocrine cells
- #Transcription factors
- #Drosophila midgut
- Enteroendocrine cells (EEs) in the Drosophila midgut have two morphological forms: 'open' and 'closed'.
- Closed-type EEs are exclusively found in the middle gastric region (R3), while open-type EEs predominate elsewhere.
- The transcription factor Ptx1 is a key determinant of closed EE morphology, maintaining expression of escargot (esg).
- Esg suppresses smooth septate junction (sSJ) genes, preventing apical integration into the epithelium and leading to closed-type EEs.
- Ectopic expression of ptx1 or esg in non-R3 regions induces closed-type EEs with impaired dietary amino acid sensing.
- A regional transcriptional regulatory axis involving Ptx1 and esg controls EE morphology and associated luminal sensing function.