Handling Editor: Swathi Arur
ABSTRACT
Programmed cell death and consecutive removal of cellular remnants is essential for development. During late stages of Drosophila melanogaster oogenesis, the small somatic follicle cells that surround the large nurse cells promote non-apoptotic nurse cell death, subsequently engulf them, and contribute to the timely removal of nurse cell corpses. Here, we identify a role for Vps13 in the timely removal of nurse cell corpses downstream of developmental programmed cell death. Vps13 is an evolutionarily conserved peripheral membrane protein associated with membrane contact sites and lipid transfer. It is expressed in late nurse cells, and persistent nurse cell remnants are observed when Vps13 is depleted from nurse cells but not from follicle cells. Microscopic analysis revealed enrichment of Vps13 in close proximity to the plasma membrane and the endoplasmic reticulum in nurse cells undergoing degradation. Ultrastructural analysis uncovered the presence of an underlying Vps13-dependent membranous structure in close association with the plasma membrane. The newly identified structure and function suggests the presence of a Vps13-dependent process required for complete degradation of bulky remnants of dying cells.
Footnotes
Competing interests
O.C.M.S. is a co-inventor on three patent applications for the use of 4′-phosphopantetheine for Coenzyme A-linked disorders. O.C.M.S. serves as non-compensated executive for the Stichting Lepelaar and the Spoonbill Foundation, two not-for-profit organizations. All other authors declare no competing or financial interests.
Author contributions
Conceptualization: A.I.E.F., N.A.G., C.R., O.C.M.S.; Methodology: A.I.E.F., C.I., M.v.d.Z., H.S., E.E.-M., B.K., J.K., B.N.G.G., R.F., N.A.G.; Validation: A.I.E.F.; Formal analysis: A.I.E.F., C.I., M.v.d.Z., H.S., E.E.-M., B.K., R.F., N.A.G., O.C.M.S.; Investigation: A.I.E.F., C.I., M.v.d.Z., H.S., E.E.-M., B.K., R.F., N.A.G.; Data curation: A.I.E.F.; Writing - original draft: A.I.E.F., C.R., O.C.M.S.; Writing - review & editing: A.I.E.F., H.S., B.N.G.G., N.A.G., O.C.M.S.; Visualization: A.I.E.F., B.N.G.G., N.A.G., C.R.; Supervision: N.A.G., C.R., O.C.M.S.; Project administration: O.C.M.S.; Funding acquisition: O.C.M.S.
Funding
This work was supported by a Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek VICI grant (865.10.012) and a Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek ALW Open grant (ALWOP.252) to O.C.M.S.
Supplementary information
Supplementary information available online at https://dev.biologists.org/lookup/doi/10.1242/dev.191759.supplemental
- Received April 20, 2020.
- Accepted September 15, 2020.
Log in using your username and password
Log in through your institution
Pay Per Article - You may access this article (from the computer you are currently using) for 1 day for US$30.00 .
Regain Access - You can regain access to a recent Pay per Article purchase if your access period has not yet expired.
Keywords
Article navigation
Related articles
Cited by...
More in this TOC section
Similar articles
Other journals from The Company of Biologists
Kathryn Virginia Anderson (1952-2020)
Developmental geneticist Kathryn Anderson passed away at home on 30 November 2020. Tamara Caspary, a former postdoc and friend, remembers Kathryn and her remarkable contribution to developmental biology.
Zooming into 2021
In a new Editorial, Editor-in-Chief James Briscoe and Executive Editor Katherine Brown reflect on the triumphs and tribulations of the last 12 months, and look towards a hopefully calmer and more predictable year.
Read & Publish participation extends worldwide
Over 60 institutions in 12 countries are now participating in our Read & Publish initiative. Here, James Briscoe explains what this means for his institution, The Francis Crick Institute. Find out more and view our full list of participating institutions.
Upcoming special issues
Imaging Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration
Submission deadline: 30 March 2021
Publication: mid-2021
The Immune System in Development and Regeneration
Guest editors: Florent Ginhoux and Paul Martin
Submission deadline: 1 September 2021
Publication: Spring 2022
Both special issues welcome Review articles as well as Research articles, and will be widely promoted online and at key global conferences.
Development presents...
Our successful webinar series continues into 2021, with early-career researchers presenting their papers and a chance to virtually network with the developmental biology community afterwards. Sign up to join our next session:
10 February
Time: 13:00 (GMT)
Chaired by: preLights