pgant7, an O-glycosyltransferase, influences wing development in Drosophila melanogaster

Monday, October 24, 2011 — Poster Session I
Noon – 2:00 p.m.	Natcher Conference Center	NIDCR	DEV-2

Authors

• L Earl
• K Ten Hagen

Abstract

Mucin-type protein O-glycosylation is a widespread and evolutionarily conserved protein modification, which is involved in many cellular processes, including adhesion, secretion, and extracellular matrix formation. The UDP-GalNAc:polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase family of enzymes (ppGalNAcTs in mammals and PGANTs in Drosophila) are responsible for the addition of GalNAc to polypeptides, the first step in the formation of mucin-type O-glycans. In Drosophila, the expression of the pgants is tightly regulated during development, and several are necessary for viability. In this study, we are investigating the role of one member of the PGANT family, pgant7, in Drosophila development. We have found that pgant7 is necessary for viability, as constitutive RNA interference (RNAi) to pgant7 leads to death throughout development. In addition, pgant7 is abundantly expressed in the wing imaginal disc, the tissue precursor for the adult wing. RNAi to pgant7 specifically in the wing imaginal disc leads to an abnormal curvature in the adult wing. Interestingly, overexpression of pgant7 in the wing imaginal disc leads to small, irregularly formed wings, with defects in vein formation and cell adhesion. Our results suggest that PGANT7 function may be important for several cellular and developmental processes during tissue morphogenesis.

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