Investigation of Septin Proteins in Drosophila Melanogaster

Septin proteins are guanosine triphosphate (GTP)–binding proteins that play important roles in the development 和 physiology of some tissues 和 interact with the cell membrane 和 cytoskeleton. 在人类, the septin cytoskeleton has been found to assist in many cellular functions, including regulation of cell shape 和 polarity, 胞质分裂, 细胞迁移, 泡贩卖, 受体信号. This thesis aims to examine the location 和 function of specific septin proteins in the embryo of the common fruit fly, 黑腹果蝇. The experimentation was performed on the embryos of 黑腹果蝇 flies during the process of germ b和 extension, a period of rapid cell division where the body segments of the fly begin to form. 在实验中, Septin 2 was labeled to determine its location within Drosophila embryo cells, while Septin 4 was genetically knocked down 和 its relationship with the developmental protein Rab35 was explored.

通过这个实验, the organization 和 location of Septin 2 was determined, being punctate in pattern 和 generally widespread, though highly concentrated near the membrane of each cell. It was also discovered that cells lacking Septin 4 also have a greatly decreased amount of Rab35 puncta, a grouping of the developmental protein found near the cellular surface. This lead to the conclusion that septin proteins play an important role in maintaining the structural integrity during the development of Rab35 puncta.