Scaling of cytoskeletal organization with cell size in Drosophila Journal Article


Authors: Spencer, A. K.; Schaumberg, A. J.; Zallen, J. A.
Article Title: Scaling of cytoskeletal organization with cell size in Drosophila
Abstract: Spatially organized macromolecular complexes are essential for cell and tissue function, but the mechanisms that organize micron-scale structures within cells are not well understood. Microtubule-based structures such as mitotic spindles scale with cell size, but less is known about the scaling of actin structures within cells. Actin-rich denticle precursors cover the ventral surface of the Drosophila embryo and larva and provide templates for cuticular structures involved in larval locomotion. Using quantitative imaging and statistical modeling, we demonstrate that denticle number and spacing scale with cell length over a wide range of cell sizes in embryos and larvae. Denticle number and spacing are reduced under space-limited conditions, and both features robustly scale over a 10-fold increase in cell length during larval growth. We show that the relationship between cell length and denticle spacing can be recapitulated by specifc mathematical equations in embryos and larvae and that accurate denticle spacing requires an intact microtubule network and the microtubule minus end-binding protein, Patronin. These results identify a novel mechanism of microtubule-dependent actin scaling that maintains precise patterns of actin organization during tissue growth. © 2017 Shimamoto et al.
Journal Title: Molecular Biology of the Cell
Volume: 28
Issue: 11
ISSN: 1059-1524
Publisher: The American Society for Cell Biology  
Date Published: 2017-06-01
Start Page: 1519
End Page: 1529
Language: English
DOI: 10.1091/mbc.E16-10-0691
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC5449150
PUBMED: 28404752
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 3 July 2017 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Jennifer A Zallen
    49 Zallen