Abstract
Spatial information embedded in the extracellular matrix establishes the dorsoventral polarity of the Drosophila embryo through the ventral activity of a serine protease cascade. Pipe is a Golgi-localized protein responsible for generating this spatial information during oogenesis through sulfation of unknown glycans. Although Pipe has sequence homology to glycosaminoglycan 2-O-sulfotransferases, its activity and authentic substrates have not been demonstrated and genetic evidence has argued against a role for glycosaminoglycans in dorsoventral polarity establishment. Here, direct examination of matrix glycosaminoglycans demonstrates that pipe-mutant matrix shows decreased tri-sulfated heparan sulfate compared to wild-type matrix, with correspondingly increased 2-O-sulfated heparan sulfate. Chondroitin sulfate was not detected in this matrix. These results suggest that Pipe promotes 6-O and/or N-sulfation of heparan sulfate but is not required for heparan sulfate 2-O-sulfation. We discuss the possible significance of these unexpected findings and how they might be reconciled with the genetic data.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 175-179 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Fly |
Volume | 2 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2008 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Disaccharide composition
- Dorsoventral polarity
- Drosophila
- Extracellular matrix
- Heparan sulfate
- Pipe
- Sulfotransferase