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Beta heavy-spectrin has a restricted tissue and subcellular distribution during Drosophila embryogenesis.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Thomas, GH; Kiehart, DP
Published in: Development (Cambridge, England)
July 1994

The components of the membrane skeleton play an important role in maintaining membrane structure during the dynamic changes in cell shape that characterize development. beta Heavy-spectrin is a unique beta-spectrin from Drosophila melanogaster that is closer in size (M(r) = 430 x 10(3)) to dystrophin than to other beta-spectrin members of the spectrin/alpha-actinin/dystrophin gene super-family. Here we establish that both the subcellular localization of the beta Heavy-spectrin protein and the tissue distribution of beta Heavy-spectrin transcript accumulation change dramatically during embryonic development. Maternally loaded protein is uniformly distributed around the plasma membrane of the egg. During cellularization it is associated with the invaginating furrow canals and in a region of the lateral membranes at the apices of the forming cells (apicolateral). During gastrulation the apicolateral staining remains and is joined by a new apical cap, or plate, of beta Heavy-spectrin in areas where morphogenetic movements occur. These locations include the ventral and cephalic furrows and the posterior midgut invagination. Thus, dynamic rearrangement of the subcellular distribution of the protein is precisely coordinated with changes in cell shape. Zygotic message and protein accumulate after the germ band is fully extended, in the musculature, epidermis, hindgut, and trachea of the developing embryo. beta Heavy-spectrin in the epidermis, hindgut, and trachea is apically localized, while the protein in the somatic and visceral musculature is not obviously polarized. The distribution of beta Heavy-spectrin suggests roles in establishing an apicolateral membrane domain that is known to be rich in intercellular junctions and in establishing a unique membrane domain associated with contractile processes.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Development (Cambridge, England)

DOI

EISSN

1477-9129

ISSN

0950-1991

Publication Date

July 1994

Volume

120

Issue

7

Start / End Page

2039 / 2050

Related Subject Headings

  • Spectrin
  • Ovum
  • Morphogenesis
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Immunoblotting
  • Gastrula
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian
  • Drosophila
  • Cell Membrane
 

Citation

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Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Thomas, G. H., & Kiehart, D. P. (1994). Beta heavy-spectrin has a restricted tissue and subcellular distribution during Drosophila embryogenesis. Development (Cambridge, England), 120(7), 2039–2050. https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.120.7.2039
Thomas, G. H., and D. P. Kiehart. “Beta heavy-spectrin has a restricted tissue and subcellular distribution during Drosophila embryogenesis.Development (Cambridge, England) 120, no. 7 (July 1994): 2039–50. https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.120.7.2039.
Thomas GH, Kiehart DP. Beta heavy-spectrin has a restricted tissue and subcellular distribution during Drosophila embryogenesis. Development (Cambridge, England). 1994 Jul;120(7):2039–50.
Thomas, G. H., and D. P. Kiehart. “Beta heavy-spectrin has a restricted tissue and subcellular distribution during Drosophila embryogenesis.Development (Cambridge, England), vol. 120, no. 7, July 1994, pp. 2039–50. Epmc, doi:10.1242/dev.120.7.2039.
Thomas GH, Kiehart DP. Beta heavy-spectrin has a restricted tissue and subcellular distribution during Drosophila embryogenesis. Development (Cambridge, England). 1994 Jul;120(7):2039–2050.
Journal cover image

Published In

Development (Cambridge, England)

DOI

EISSN

1477-9129

ISSN

0950-1991

Publication Date

July 1994

Volume

120

Issue

7

Start / End Page

2039 / 2050

Related Subject Headings

  • Spectrin
  • Ovum
  • Morphogenesis
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Immunoblotting
  • Gastrula
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian
  • Drosophila
  • Cell Membrane