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Actin dynamics in lamellipodia of migrating border cells in the Drosophila ovary revealed by a GFP‐actin fusion protein
Author(s) -
Verkhusha Vladislav V,
Tsukita Shoichiro,
Oda Hiroki
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(99)00124-6
Subject(s) - lamellipodium , microbiology and biotechnology , green fluorescent protein , actin remodeling of neurons , pseudopodia , actin , biology , mdia1 , actin remodeling , chemistry , actin cytoskeleton , cytoskeleton , cell , biochemistry , gene
Directional migration of border cells in the Drosophila egg chambers is a developmentally regulated event that requires dynamic cellular functions. In this study, the electron microscopic observation of migrating border cells revealed loose actin bundles in forepart lamellipodia and numerous microvilli extending from nurse cells and providing multiple adhesive contacts with border cells. To analyze the dynamics of actin in migrating border cells in vivo, we constructed a green fluorescent protein‐actin fusion protein and induced its expression in Drosophila using the GAL4/UAS system. The green fluorescent protein‐actin was incorporated into the actin bundles and it enabled visualization of the rapid cytoskeletal changes in border cell lamellipodia. During the growth of the lamellipodia, the actin bundles that increased in number and size radiated from the bundle‐organizing center. Quantification of the fluorescence intensity showed that an accumulation of bundle‐associated and spotted green fluorescent protein‐actin signals took place during their centripetal movement. Our results favored a treadmilling model for actin behavior in border cell lamellipodia.