a-cell-based-assay-to-investigate-non-muscle-myosin-ii-contractility

A Cell-based Assay to Investigate Non-muscle Myosin II Contractility <em>via</em> the Folded-gastrulation Signaling Pathway in <em>Drosophila</em> S2R+ Cells

We have developed a cell-based assay using Drosophila cells that recapitulates apical constriction initiated by folded gastrulation (Fog), a secreted ...

Reed College

In recent years, the convergence of multiple technologies and experimental approaches has led to the expanded use of cultured Drosophila cells as a model system. Their ease of culture and maintenance, susceptibility to RNA interference, and imaging characteristics have led to extensive use in both traditional experimental approaches as well as high-throughput RNAi screens. Here we describe Drosophila S2 cell culture and preparation for live-cell and fixed-cell fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. 

Imaging of the Cytoskeleton Using Live and Fixed Drosophila Tissue Culture Cells.

Coordination between different cytoskeletal systems is crucial for many cell biological functions, including cell migration and mitosis, and also plays an important role during tissue morphogenesis. Proteins of the class of cytoskeletal crosslinkers, or cytolinkers, have the ability to interact with more than one cytoskeletal system at a time and are prime candidates to mediate any coordination. One such class comprises the Gas2-like proteins, combining a conserved calponin-homology-type actin-binding domain and a Gas2 domain predicted to bind microtubules (MTs). This domain combination is also found in spectraplakins, huge cytolinkers that play important roles in many tissues in both invertebrates and vertebrates. Here, we dissect the ability of the single Drosophila Gas2-like protein Pigs to interact with both actin and MT cytoskeletons, both in vitro and in vivo, and illustrate complex regulatory interactions that determine the localisation of Pigs to and its effects on the cytoskeleton. 

Derek A. Applewhite

Department of Biology

Reed College

A Cell-based Assay to Investigate Non-muscle Myosin II Contractility via the Folded-gastrulation Signaling Pathway in Drosophila S2R+ Cells

Derek A. Applewhite

.css-o250i3{font-size:18px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;line-height:21.6px;}Department of Biology

Reed College

A Cell-based Assay to Investigate Non-muscle Myosin II Contractility via the Folded-gastrulation Signaling Pathway in Drosophila S2R+ Cells

Department of Biology