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Moesin and Clic Modulate Rhabdomere Morphogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster Photoreceptors

Ensinger, Megan L
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouashonors1367523905

Abstract Details

2013, Bachelor of Sciences, Ohio University, Biological Sciences.
The formation of the actin-rich apical surface structures of Drosophila photoreceptor cells, the rhabdomeres, is a tightly regulated process involving many protein interactions. Moesin, the sole Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin (ERM) protein in Drosophila, serves to anchor F-actin microfilaments to the cellular membrane and is subject to many regulatory interactions. Moesin must bind to PIP2 and then be phosphorylated by the Sterile20 (Ste20) kinase Slik to be activated and serve as a cytoskeletal anchor. Conversely, it is deactivated by dephosphorylation by the PP1 phosphatase PP1-87B. Here I show that the sole CLIC family protein in Drosophila, Clic, is also intimately involved with moesin and PP1-87B in establishing the architecture of rhabdomeres. Disruption in the function of these important proteins has adverse effects on microvilli formation within the rhabdomeres and induces a loss of epithelial integrity and organization within the photoreceptor cells. A knockdown of moesin function causes the loss of three rhabdomeres, two of which can be recovered in a Clic loss-of-function mutant background. This suggests an antagonistic role between Clic and moesin. Masking of the phenotype induced by a knockdown of PP1-87B by the Clic loss-of-function mutation suggests that Clic works upstream of PP1-87B to antagonize moesin function. Our current model is that Clic facilitates the transfer of active moesin from PIP2 to a membrane protein. Once this transaction is complete, PP1-87B gains access to moesin for dephosphorylation and subsequent deactivation. Thus, I present a model of a novel role for Clic in rhabdomere morphogenesis via genetic interaction with moesin and PP1-87B.
Soichi Tanda, D.Sc. (Advisor)
63 p.
Biology; Cellular Biology; Molecular Biology
moesin; Clic; Drosophila melanogaster; rhabdomeres; photoreceptors

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Ensinger, M. L. (2013). Moesin and Clic Modulate Rhabdomere Morphogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster Photoreceptors [Undergraduate thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouashonors1367523905

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Ensinger, Megan. Moesin and Clic Modulate Rhabdomere Morphogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster Photoreceptors. 2013. Ohio University, Undergraduate thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouashonors1367523905.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Ensinger, Megan. "Moesin and Clic Modulate Rhabdomere Morphogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster Photoreceptors." Undergraduate thesis, Ohio University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouashonors1367523905

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ouashonors1367523905
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© 2013, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University Art and Sciences Honors Theses and OhioLINK.