Live Imaging of Drosophila Myoblast Fusion

Acting on identity: Myoblast fusion and the formation of the syncytial muscle fiber

“…Additional experimental evidence suggests that the nucleus from the FC remains transcriptionally different from other nuclei in the same muscle fiber (Bataillé et al, 2017). Fusion events between FCs and FCMs are completed at late stage 15 (~13.5h AEL) (Beckett and Baylies, 2007; Richardson et al, 2008). Myotubes derived from myoblast fusion differentiate into fully striated, functional larval muscles (Figure 1A, C).…”

“…The FCMs in contact with FCs/myotubes are responsible for the early fusion events. The FCMs that are located more internally migrate prior to making contact and fusing with the FCs/myotubes (Beckett and Baylies, 2007; Richardson et al, 2008). During adult myogenesis, myoblasts often need to migrate long distances from the imaginal discs to the muscle template/myotubes.…”

Drosophila Swiprosin-1/EFHD2 accumulates at the prefusion complex stage during Drosophila myoblast fusion

“…Live imaging has shown that these F-actin foci are a transient feature during myoblast fusion (Richardson et al, 2008a;Richardson et al, 2007). We addressed the question whether Drosophila Swip-1 foci overlap with F-actin foci.…”

Drosophila melanogaster

“…The FC is destined to become the first cell of each SM muscle, fusing with FCMs to generate the multinucleated muscle. FCMs continue to fuse with the growing myotube ultimately resulting in a muscle of the appropriate mass [10,11]. Attraction between the FC and the FCM is mediated, at least in part, by immunoglobulin-domain containing proteins such as protein Dumbfounded/Kin of Irre (Duf/ Kirre) and Sticks and Stones (SNS) which are expressed on the cell membrane of the FCs and FCMs respectively [12][13][14][15].…”