Single-cell transcriptomics of the Drosophila wing disc reveals instructive epithelium-to-myoblast interactions

In both vertebrates and invertebrates, generating a functional appendage requires interactions between ectoderm-derived epithelia mesoderm-derived cells. To investigate such interactions, we used single-cell transcriptomics to generate temporal cell atlas of the Drosophila wing disc from two developmental time points. Using these data, visualized gene expression using multilayered model cataloged ligand–receptor pairs that could mediate signaling epithelial cells adult muscle precursors (AMPs). We found localized fibroblast growth factor ligands, Thisbe Pyramus, in epithelium regulates number location AMPs. addition, Hedgehog ligand activates specific transcriptional program within adjacent AMP cells, defined by AMP-specific targets Neurotactin midline , is critical for proper formation direct flight muscles. More generally, our annotated provides an organ-wide view potential cell–cell myogenic