Abstract
Growing axons can be guided by a number of different cues: adhesive substrates1,2, diffusible factors1–3, electrical fields1,2,4 and even factors intrinsic to the neurone itself1,2,5 have all been shown to affect axon orientation and outgrowth in vitro. However, in most intact systems it has proved difficult to test directly the role played by these putative guidance cues. Here, we describe a system, the developing wing of the fruitfly, in which we have tested simultaneously two putative guidance mechanisms, physical constraints to axon growth (channels) and the position of neuronal somata (guideposts), using surgical techniques. We show that pioneer sensory axons can navigate correctly and form their normal stereotyped pattern of axon bundles in wing fragments that apparently lack both physical and neural cues. This technique allows access to the surface along which neuronal pathfinding takes place, making possible a wide range of experimental manipulations on the developing system.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Johnston, R. N. & Wessells, N. K. Curr. Topics dev. Biol. 16, 165–206 (1980).
Letourneau, P. C. in Neuronal Development (ed. Spitzer, N. C.) 213–254 (Plenum, New York, 1982).
Gunderson, R. W. & Barrett, J. N. J. Cell Biol. 87, 546–554 (1980).
Patel, N. & Poo, M-M. J. Neurosci. 2, 483–496 (1982).
Solomon, F. Cell 16, 165–169 (1979).
Waddington, C. H. J. Genet. 41, 75–139 (1940).
Andersen, H. Wilhelm Roux Arch dev. Biol. 193, 226–233 (1984).
Murray, M. A., Schubiger, M. & Palka, J. Devl Biol. 104, 259–273 (1984).
Jan, Y. N., Ghysen, A. & Jan, L. Y. Soc. Neurosci. Abstr. 9, 302.3 (1983).
Singer, M., Nordlander, R. H. & Egar, M. J. comp. Neurol. 185, 1–22 (1979).
Silver, J. & Sidman, R. L. J. comp. Neurol. 189, 101–111 (1980).
Jan, L. Y. & Jan, Y. N. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 79, 2700–2704 (1982).
Edwards, J. S., Milner, M. J. & Chen, S. W. Wilhelm Roux Arch dev. Biol. 185, 59–77 (1978).
Blair, S. S. & Palka, J. Devl Biol. 108, 411–419 (1985).
Blair, S. S., Nagy, L. M. & Palka, J. Soc. Neurosci. Abstr. 10, 42.4 (1984).
Palka, J., Schubiger, M. & Ellison, R. Devl Biol. 98, 481–492 (1983).
Bentley, D. & Keshishian, H. Trends Neurosci. 5, 354–358 (1982).
Bentley, D. & Caudy, M. Cold Spring Harb. Symp. quant. Biol. 48, 573–585 (1983).
Taghert, P. H., Bastiani, M. J., Ho, R. K. & Goodman, C. S. Devl Biol. 94, 391–399 (1982).
Schubiger, M. & Palka, J. Devl Biol. 108, 399–410 (1985).
Berlot, J. & Goodman, C. S. Science 223, 493–496 (1984).
Goodman, C. S. et al. Science 225, 1271–1279 (1984).
Nardi, J. B. Devl Biol. 95, 163–174 (1983).
Caudy, M. & Bentley, D. Soc. Neurosci. Abstr. 10, 42.6 (1984).
Shields, G. & Sang, J. H. Drosoph. Inf. Serv. 52, 161 (1977).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Blair, S., Murray, M. & Palka, J. Axon guidance in cultured epithelial fragments of Drosophila wing. Nature 315, 406–409 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/315406a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/315406a0
This article is cited by
-
Molecules that make axons grow
Molecular Neurobiology (1987)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
