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Optogenetic Inhibition of Rho1-Mediated Actomyosin Contractility Coupled with Measurement of Epithelial Tension in Drosophila Embryos
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Apoptotic force and tissue dynamics during Drosophila embryogenesis.

Yusuke Toyama1, Xomalin G Peralta, Adrienne R Wells

  • 1Physics Department and Free Electron Laser Laboratory, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|September 20, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Apoptosis, the process of programmed cell death, actively generates forces during Drosophila development. These forces are crucial for tissue remodeling and promote cell-sheet fusion, a role not previously recognized for apoptosis.

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Imaging and Analysis of Tissue Orientation and Growth Dynamics in the Developing Drosophila Epithelia During Pupal Stages

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Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Cell and extracellular matrix forces are critical for metazoan development.
  • Apoptosis remodels tissues by eliminating cells, but its role in generating developmental forces is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of apoptosis in generating forces during Drosophila embryonic development.
  • To determine if apoptotic forces contribute to tissue remodeling and cell-sheet fusion.

Main Methods:

  • Manipulating apoptosis levels in the Drosophila amnioserosa.
  • Measuring tissue forces and the rate of dorsal closure (cell-sheet fusion).

Main Results:

  • Altering apoptosis in the amnioserosa modulated tissue forces and the speed of dorsal closure.
  • Suppression of apoptosis slowed dorsal closure, while enhancement accelerated it.
  • Apoptotic forces directly influence the rate of seam formation (zipping) during closure.

Conclusions:

  • Apoptosis actively generates forces that contribute to embryonic development.
  • These forces play a significant role in driving cell-sheet movements for tissue fusion.
  • This study reveals a novel mechanical function for apoptosis in development.