In metazoans, tissue growth and patterning is partly controlled by the Hedgehog (Hh) morphogen. Using immuno-electron microscopy on Drosophila wing imaginal discs, we identified a cellular structure, the Hherisomes that contain the majority of intracellular Hh. Hherisomes are recycling tubular endosomes and their formation is specifically boosted by overexpression of Hh. Expression of Rab11, a small GTPase involved in recycling endosomes, boosts the size of Hherisomes and their Hh concentration. Conversely, increased expression of the transporter Dispatched, a regulator of Hh secretion, leads to their clearance. We show that increasing Hh density in Hherisomes through Rab11 overexpression enhances both the level of Hh-signaling and disc pouch growth, whereas Dispatched overexpression decreases high level Hh-signaling and growth. We propose that upon secretion, a pool of Hh triggers low level signaling, whereas a second pool of Hh is endocytosed and recycled through Hherisomes to stimulate high level signaling and disc pouch growth. Altogether our data indicate that Hherisomes are required to sustain physiological Hh activity necessary for patterning and tissue growth in the wing disc.
Dynamic Interpretation of Hedgehog Signaling in the Drosophila Wing Disc