RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Homophilic interaction of E-Cadherin prevents cell-cell fusion between developing germline and surrounding epithelia in Drosophila ovary JF bioRxiv FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory SP 2022.11.22.517537 DO 10.1101/2022.11.22.517537 A1 Matthew Antel A1 Rachel Norris A1 Mayu Inaba YR 2022 UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2022/11/23/2022.11.22.517537.abstract AB In the Drosophila ovary, developing germline cysts are encapsulated by somatic follicle cell epithelia and E-Cadherin localizes to the interface of these tissues. E-Cadherin mutants have been shown to have multiple defects in oogenesis. Therefore, it is difficult to determine E-Cadherin function on germline-soma interaction. In this study, we characterize E-Cadherin function, specifically focusing on germline-soma interaction. Unexpectedly, knockdown of E-Cadherin either in the germline or follicle cells results in excess formation of membrane protrusions at the interface of these cells, which leads to a cell-cell fusion and indicates that homophilic interaction of E-Cadherin is required for maintenance of the tissue boundary between these two adjacent tissues. The fate of follicle cells fused to the germline becomes compromised, leading to a defective individualization of germline cysts. We propose that homophilic interaction of E-Cadherin facilitates a barrier between adjacent tissues, demonstrating a unique model of cell-fate disturbance caused by cell-cell fusion.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.