Date of Award

1-1-2011

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

M.S.

Organizational Unit

Biological Sciences

First Advisor

Todd Blankenship, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Daniel Linseman

Third Advisor

Scott Barbee

Fourth Advisor

Dinah Loerke

Keywords

Drosophila, Endocytosis, Exocyst complex, Rosette

Abstract

Convergent extension is a highly conserved process among mammals, in which the tissue narrows in one axis, and extends across another. Tissue elongation is directed by the regulation of cell interface behaviors, which guides cell intercalation and rosette formation. Rosette formation occurs through the contraction of vertically oriented cell interfaces, and the subsequent elongation of new horizontal interfaces. It has been shown that actomyosin-generated tension functions to direct rosette formation. In this thesis, I have tested the function of regulators of F-actin networks, as well as endocytic and exocytic mechanisms, to identify new components that control interface behaviors and cell shape. I have performed a screen of F-actin regulators and nucleators, and pinpointed the specific actin nucleator dPod-1 as a candidate protein that is localized to vertical interfaces during tissue elongation. Furthermore, I have probed the function of endocytosis using the Shibire mutation, and demonstrated that endocytosis is required for vertical interface shrinking. Finally, I have used mutations in components of the Exocyst Complex and the associated protein RalA to inhibit exocytic mechanisms, in order to address their function in directing cell and tissue morphologies.

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Rights Holder

Amelia E. Zommer

Provenance

Received from ProQuest

File Format

application/pdf

Language

en

File Size

73 p.

Discipline

Biology

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