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Trafficking through Rab11 endosomes is required for cellularization during Drosophila embryogenesis
Anne Pelissier1, Jean-Paul Chauvin, Thomas Lecuit
1Laboratoire de Génétique et de Physiologie du Développement, Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille, France.
Current Biology : CB
|November 1, 2003
Summary
Endocytic trafficking via Rab11 endosomes is crucial for membrane growth during Drosophila cellularization. Disrupting endocytosis regulators like rab5 and shibire/dynamin impairs basal-lateral membrane expansion and apical endocytosis.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Embryonic cleavage forms epithelial layers during development.
- Drosophila cellularization is a specialized epithelialization process.
- Underlying membrane trafficking pathways remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of endocytic trafficking in membrane mobilization during cellularization.
- To identify key molecular players in membrane pool remobilization for lateral membrane growth.
Main Methods:
- Functional analysis of endocytic regulators (rab5, shibire/dynamin).
- Analysis of membrane protein trafficking (Neurotactin).
- Electron microscopy to visualize endocytic structures.
Main Results:
- Endocytic trafficking through Rab11 endosomes is essential for lateral membrane growth.
- Mutants in rab5 and shibire/dynamin inhibit basal-lateral membrane growth.
- Shibire/dynamin is critical for apical endocytosis and Rab11 endosome trafficking.
Conclusions:
- Endocytic trafficking is required for basal-lateral membrane growth during cellularization.
- Rab11 endosomes act as key intermediates controlling vesicle exocytosis and membrane expansion.
- This pathway may be relevant for other membrane growth-associated morphogenetic processes.