Nature Cell Biology
4, 782 - 789 (2002)
Published online: 23 September 2002; | doi:10.1038/ncb856
Dmoesin controls actin-based cell shape and polarity during Drosophila melanogaster oogenesisCédric Polesello, Isabelle Delon, Philippe Valenti, Pierre Ferrer
& François Payre
Centre de Biologie du Dévelopement, UMR 5547 CNRS, Bat4R3, 118 route de Narbonne, Toulouse, 31062 CEDEX4, France.
Correspondence should be addressed to François Payre payre@cict.frEzrin, Radixin and Moesin (ERM) proteins are thought to constitute a bridge between the actin cytoskeleton and the plasma membrane (PM). Here we report a genetic analysis of Dmoesin, the sole member of the ERM family in Drosophila. We show that Dmoesin is required during oogenesis for anchoring microfilaments to the oocyte cortex. Alteration of the actin cytoskeleton resulting from Dmoesin mutations impairs the localization of maternal determinants, thus disrupting antero−posterior polarity. This study also demonstrates the requirement of Dmoesin for the specific organization of cortical microfilaments in nurse cells and, consequently, mutations in Dmoesin produce severe defects in cell shape.
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