The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is a widely used model system with which to study asymmetric cell division (ACD). ACD is a process within the neuroblast stem cell that results in the formation of polarized cell domains and eventually to two daughter cells of different fates – one cell becoming a neuron/glial cell, while the other self-renews as a stem cell. During ACD, errors in protein polarization along the apical/basal cortex of the cell can occur, leading to cell proliferation and the formation of tumor cells. So far, the pathway leading to polarization is largely understood, but the precise temporal dynamics are not well documented. Here, we propose to sort out the molecular pathway leading to apical domain formation in Drosophila neuroblasts by imaging two putative upstream components, Bazooka (Baz) and Inscuteable (Insc) at the same time in living cells in order to determine which protein localizes first to the membrane. To show sufficiency, we also propose to image the polarization dynamics of the two players under RNAi conditions where the other player is absent to determine whether wild type behavior is maintained or lost. With these tools in hand, a more precise understanding of the assembly of these large complexes can be gained with clear implications in understanding the development of intractable cancers such as neuroblastoma and glioblastoma.

Co-imaging of polarity proteins during division of <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i> central brain neuroblasts

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.

Co-imaging of polarity proteins during division of Drosophila melanogaster central brain neuroblasts