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Extracellular protease production by Drosophila imaginal discs
1Department of Zoology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Developmental Biology
|April 1, 1989
Summary
Extracellular proteases are crucial for Drosophila imaginal disc eversion, a process involving epithelial cell rearrangements. Inhibiting these proteases blocks development, suggesting their essential role in morphogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Epithelial cell rearrangements are fundamental to morphogenesis.
- Extracellular proteases are implicated in various biological processes, including tissue remodeling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of extracellular proteases in Drosophila imaginal disc eversion.
- To elucidate the mechanisms controlling cell rearrangements during epithelial morphogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Primary cell culture of Drosophila leg discs.
- Assay of cation-dependent neutral protease activity.
- Inhibition studies using serine protease inhibitors.
- Analysis of protease and inhibitor patterns under varying conditions.
Main Results:
- Three cation-dependent neutral proteases were identified in eversion-competent Drosophila leg discs.
- Serine protease inhibitors significantly blocked disc eversion and protease activity.
- Protease and inhibitor activities were detected on the cell surface prior to release.
- Protease patterns changed when eversion was inhibited.
Conclusions:
- Extracellular proteases are essential for imaginal disc morphogenesis.
- Multiple regulatory mechanisms control extracellular protease activity during development.
- These proteases play a key role in regulating cell rearrangements within epithelia.