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Effects on Epidermal Actin Composition in Wounded Drosophila Grainy head Zygotic Mutants
Author(s) -
Sandoval Efren G.,
Juarez Michelle T.,
McGinnis William
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.628.4
Subject(s) - biology , microbiology and biotechnology , mutant , actin , drosophila melanogaster , live cell imaging , genetics , gene , cell
Epidermal wound healing is a complex process whose genetic controls are poorly understood, despite decades of study. Within the fruit fly Drosophila , a single epithelial cell layer secretes the hexapod cuticle armor whose primary function is to support and protect the organism from external threat. Several genes linked to the regulation of cuticle formation and repair of epidermal wounds have been found. The transcription factor Grainy head plays an important role in epidermal development and barrier function in a wide range of model organisms, including mammals. Mutations in Drosophila Grainy head disrupt cuticular integrity and response to epidermal wounds. In our quest to study the effects of cellular migration in Grainy head mutants, we have utilized actin‐GFP reporter genes that label cell borders in living Drosophila embryos. After mechanical or laser induced wounds in wild‐type and Grainy head mutant embryos, we compare the two genotypes. Powerful confocal microscopy and live imaging can illuminate potentially different cell migratory behaviors in the Grainy head mutants, as well as sub‐cellular differences in actin distribution. We hypothesize the Grainy head mutation will compromise actin microfilament integrity at the wound site to cause inappropriate cellular migration during epidermal closure.