Dynamics of interplanar bridges and tissue morphogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster pupal wing

Abstract

Different actin and/or tubulin-based membrane protrusions have been proposed to be one of the means for intercellular communication needed for proper cell proliferation, cell fate decision, and migration. Even though existence of membrane protrusions have occasionally been described in developing tissues, their physiological roles are still poorly understood. Microtubule-based protrusions, termed interplanar bridges, have been shown to be present in Drosophila melanogaster pupal wing. To study the dynamics and function of these protrusions, 5D time lapse imaging was conducted by using α-Tubulin:GFP and centrosomal cnn:Cherry to visualize the interplanar bridges and mitotic cells. Results gathered from the thesis show, that these structures are present during pupal wing development and appear to play roles in regulating coordinated cell mitosis as the means of intercellular communication.