PgmNr D1033: Fascin regulates nuclear actin during Drosophila oogenesis.

Authors:
D. J. Kelpsch 1 ; C. M. Groen 1,2 ; T. N. Fagan 1 ; S. Sudhir 1 ; T. L. Tootle 1


Institutes
1) University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA; 2) Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.


Keyword: other ( Nuclear Actin )

Abstract:

Drosophila oogenesis provides a developmental system to study nuclear actin. During Stages 5-9, nuclear actin levels are high in the oocyte and exhibit dynamic variation within the nurse cells. Cofilin and Profilin, which regulate the nuclear import and export of actin, also localize to the nuclei. Expression of GFP-tagged Actin results in nuclear actin filaments. These findings indicate that nuclear actin must be tightly regulated during oogenesis. One factor mediating this regulation is Fascin. Overexpression of Fascin enhances nuclear GFP-Actin filament formation, and Fascin colocalizes with the filaments. Loss of Fascin reduces, while overexpression of Fascin increases, the frequency of nurse cells with high levels of nuclear actin, but neither alters the overall nuclear level of actin. These data suggest that Fascin regulates nuclear actin dynamics, allowing specific cells to accumulate nuclear actin. Evidence indicates Fascin positively regulates nuclear actin through Cofilin. Loss of Fascin results in decreased nuclear Cofilin. Additionally, Fascin and Cofilin genetically interact, as double heterozygotes exhibit a reduction in the number of nurse cells with high nuclear actin levels. These findings are likely applicable beyond Drosophila follicle development, as the localization and functions of Fascin, and the mechanisms regulating nuclear actin, are widely conserved.