Genetic analysis of the Drosophila beta 3-tubulin gene demonstrates that the microtubule cytoskeleton in the cells of the visceral mesoderm is required for morphogenesis of the midgut endoderm

We have investigated the cellular basis for lethality of mutant alleles of the Drosophila melanogaster beta 3-tubulin gene, beta Tub60D. Lethal beta 3 mutations can be grouped into two classes: the most severe mutations (Class I alleles) cause death during the first larval instar, while weaker alleles (Class II) cause death in later larval stages or in early pupal development. Since beta 3 is not expressed during larval development, lethality of the Class I mutations must reflect essential functions of beta 3 in embryogenesis. beta 3-tubulin is zygotically expressed during midembryogenesis in the developing mesoderm, and the major site of beta 3 accumulation is in the developing muscles during myogenesis. We show that the embryonic pattern of beta 3 expression, including accumulation in the developing musculature, is conserved in other Drosophila species. However, we found that loss of beta 3 function does not cause discernible defects in either the ultrastructure or function of the larval muscle. Thus beta 3-tubulin is dispensable in its highest site of accumulation. Rather, the essential site of function of beta 3 in embryos is in cells of the visceral mesoderm. Lethality of Class I alleles is caused by defects in midgut morphogenesis and failure of gut function. Although the folding pattern is irregular and the gut is smaller than normal, a complete folded gut forms in mutant larvae, and the visceral muscle functions normally to move food through the gut. However, mutant larvae cannot absorb nutrients across the gut wall. Thus loss of beta 3 function in the mesoderm results in defects in the underlying endodermally derived layer of the gut. Our data provide an assay for cellular interactions between mesoderm and endodermal tissues and reveal a role for the microtubule cytoskeleton of the visceral mesodermal cells in differentiation of the endodermal cell layer of the larval gut. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.