{
  "id": 7329426,
  "title": "Clustered cytoneme interactions contribute to peripheral nervous system patterning in Drosophila",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/clustered-cytoneme-interactions-contribute-to-peripheral-nervous",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-14T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "bioRxiv",
    "slug": "biorxiv",
    "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.11.750707v1?rss=1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The development of adult tissues in organisms depends on the precise communication between cells during their formation. In the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, the dorsal thoracic sensory bristles of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) rely on protrusions called cytonemes for this purpose. While the individual dynamics of cytonemes have been explored in experiments and theory, the interaction between cytonemes during PNS development is still not fully understood.\n\nTo investigate this, researchers employed in vivo and ex vivo imaging techniques alongside fly genetics. They discovered that cytonemes aggregate into clusters on the basal surface of the developing PNS. The formation of these clusters enhances the dynamics of individual cytonemes, suggesting a cooperative communication among cytonemes.\n\nThese clusters are dynamic and temporary structures that can be disrupted in experiments by aligning nanofibers. When this manipulation occurs, the typical PNS patterning is altered. The researchers found that the interaction between cytonemes via these clusters is facilitated by the cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin. Reducing the expression of E-cadherin leads to alterations in cluster dynamics, cytoneme length, and the overall PNS patterning.\n\nBased on their findings, the researchers propose a model where complex interactions between cytonemes, mediated by clusters and enhanced through cell-cell communication, play a crucial role in promoting individual cytoneme dynamics. They suggest that the improved dynamics and stability provided by these increased interactions could support both the variety and intensity of local signaling events necessary for proper tissue patterning in the PNS.",
  "summary": "The formation of patterned adult tissues requires precise spatiotemporal communication between the cells that comprise the tissue during development. The dorsal thoracic sensory bristles of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster relies on the activity of cell protrusions called cytonemes. Experimental studies have identified several of the mechanisms that…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}