FB2026_03 , released September 17, 2026
CV Term Report
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Term Malpighian tubule Type II cell ID (Ontology) FBbt:00005797 (Fly Anatomy)
Definition Morphologically distinct cell type found only in the initial, transitional and main segments of the Malpighian tubules interspersed with Type I cells. Type II cells are smaller and flatter than Type I cells, with shorter (main segment) or no (initial region) apical microvilli. Type II cells originate from a subset of caudal visceral mesoderm cells that overlie the tubule primordia as they evert from the hindgut. By stage 15, Type II cells have been incorporated in the tubules and adopt epithelial characteristics. In the mature tubules there are on average 110 Type II cells.[ FlyBase:FBrf0064792 FlyBase:FBrf0102373 FlyBase:FBrf0160477 FlyBase:FBrf0222532 ]
Also Known As"excretory star cell" ; "Malpighian tubule stellate cell" ; "SC"
CommentThese cells are involved in primary urine production via the presence of ion channels that allow chloride and water to enter the tubule lumen (O'Donnell et al., 1998).
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Alleles (FBal)PHENOTYPE_MANIFEST_IN
Insertions (FBti)EXPRESSION_STAGE_TISSUE_POSITION
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 Malpighian tubule Type II cell (all annotations which use CV term, excluding "NOT" statements)
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Malpighian tubule
 |__specialized Malpighian tubule cell__
trunk mesoderm derivative               |
 |__visceral trunk mesoderm derivative__|
somatic cell                            |
 |__specialized Malpighian tubule cell__|
                                        Malpighian tubule Type II cell  61 rec.
                                         |__adult Malpighian tubule Type II cell 35 rec.
                                         |   |__adult Malpighian tubule bar-shaped cell(+) 8 rec.
                                         |   |__adult Malpighian tubule stellate cell of main segment 12 rec.
                                         |__embryonic Malpighian tubule Type II cell 4 rec.
                                         |__embryonic/larval Malpighian tubule Type II cell 18 rec.
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Is a specialized Malpighian tubule cell
visceral trunk mesoderm derivative
Develops from Malpighian tubule Type II cell primordium
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Synonyms
  • "excretory star cell" EXACT
    "Malpighian tubule stellate cell" EXACT[ FlyBase:FBrf0030988 ]
    "SC" EXACT
Secondary IDs
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CL:1000155