A method for reversible drug delivery to internal tissues of Drosophila embryos Journal Article


Authors: Schulman, V. K.; Folker, E. S.; Baylies, M. K.
Article Title: A method for reversible drug delivery to internal tissues of Drosophila embryos
Abstract: Drosophila melanogaster is a powerful model organism to elucidate basic cellular mechanisms of development. Indeed, much of our understanding of genetic pathways comes from work in Drosophila. However, mutations in many critical genes cause early embryonic lethality; thus, it is difficult to study the role of proteins that are required for early fundamental processes during later embryonic stages. We have therefore developed a method to reversibly deliver drugs to internal tissues of stage 15-16 Drosophila embryos using a 1:1 combination of D-limonene and heptane (LH). Specifically, delivery of Nocodazole was shown to be effective as evidenced by the significant decrease in microtubule density seen in muscle cells. Following complete depolymerization of the microtubule cytoskeleton, removing the Nocodazole and washing for 10 min was sufficient for the microtubule network to be re-established, indicating that drug delivery is reversible. Additionally, the morphology of LH-treated embryos resembled that of untreated controls, and embryo viability post-treatment with LH was significantly increased compared with previously reported permeabilization techniques. These advances in embryo permeabilization provide a means to disrupt protein function in vivo with high temporally specificity, bypassing the complications associated with genetic disruptions as they relate to the study of late-stage developmental mechanisms.
Keywords: methodology; animal; animals; embryo; drosophila; drug effect; physiology; drug delivery systems; animal embryo; prenatal development; embryo, nonmammalian; drug combination; drug combinations; drug delivery system; nocodazole; muscle; muscles; drug delivery; permeability; cyclohexenes; permeabilization; terpene; terpenes; chorion; article; cyclohexene derivative; heptane; limonene; heptanes
Journal Title: Fly
Volume: 7
Issue: 3
ISSN: 1933-6934
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group  
Date Published: 2013-07-01
Start Page: 193
End Page: 203
Language: English
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 23846179
DOI: 10.4161/fly.25438
PMCID: PMC4049853
DOI/URL:
Notes: Fly (Austin) -- Export Date: 8 July 2014 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Eric Folker
    8 Folker
  2. Mary K Baylies
    85 Baylies