The overall aim of the project is to learn how multiple microtubule sliding motors contribute to the morphogenesis of the mitotic spindle in Drosophila syncytial blastoderm-stage embryos. These embryos are amenable to biochemical, genetic and cytological analysis of mitotic mechanisms, and previous work done in this laboratory showed how three mitotic motors, KLP61F, Ncd, and cytoplasmic dynein, cooperate fo position spindle poles during spindle assembly, maintenance and elongation. We want to further test the hypothesis that KLP61F and Ncd, located on interpolar microtubule bundles, and dynein localized on the cell cortex, cooperate to drive a sliding filament mechanism that precisely positions spindle poles. To do this we will use techniques already developed in the laboratory, including the purification and analysis of native motor proteins, the microinjection of function- blocking antibodies and mutant proteins, and the high resolution analysis of spindle pole positioning by time-lapse confocal microscopy of living embryos. We will augment these approaches with the use of Fluorescence Photobleaching, Fluorescence Photoactivation or Fluorescent Speckle Microscopy to directly visualize microtubule- microtubule and microtubule-cortical actin sliding in living embryos.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
3F32GM020776-02S1
Application #
6688837
Study Section
Cell Development and Function Integrated Review Group (CDF)
Program Officer
Tompkins, Laurie
Project Start
2001-02-01
Project End
Budget Start
2003-02-01
Budget End
2003-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$27,176
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Davis
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
047120084
City
Davis
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
95618