Glued in Drosophila eye development
Abstract
This research presents a cellular analysis of the Drosophila gene, Glued in compound eye development. Glued is a homolog of vertebrate dynactin, the cytoplasmic dynein activating protein A C-terminus truncation of Glued results in a severe and complex retinal phenotype, including a roughening of the facet array, malformation of the photosensitive rhabdomeres, and a general deficit and disorder of retinal cells. We have characterized the developmental phenotype in $Glued\sp1$ and found defects in multiple stages of eye development, including mitosis, nuclear migration, cell fate determination, rhabdomere morphogenesis and inappropriate cell death. To dissect the $Glued\sp1$ eye phenotype, we made transgenic flies which express a dominant negative Glued under control of the heat-shock promoter. Expression of the dominant negative Glued during eye development reproduces distinct features of the original $Glued\sp1$ phenotype in a stage-specific manner. The multiple phenotypes effected by truncated Glued point to the multiple roles served by dynactin/dynein during eye development.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Ready, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Molecular biology|Genetics|Neurology|Zoology
Off-Campus Purdue Users:
To access this dissertation, please log in to our
proxy server.