Dynamic linkage between the cadherin-catenin complex (CCC) and the actin cytoskeleton at Adherens Junctions is essential for cell-cell adhesion in epithelial cells. Alpha-catenin is a core component of the CCC that is responsible for maintaining the linkage between the actin cytoskeleton and the CCC.
As part of my project, I generated an alpha-Catenin (alpha-Cat) RNAi line that was used to knockdown maternal alpha-Cat in Drosophila embryos. Knockdown of alpha-Cat in the female germline produced embryonic lethality that was characterized by severe defects throughout the embryo which suggests that the maternal contribution of alpha-Cat is indispensable for embryonic development.
I also investigated if alpha-catenin function is conserved among metazoans and Dictyostelium discoideum. I generated rescue constructs using mouse, zebrafish, worm and slime mold alpha-catenin proteins and attempted to rescue alpha-Cat1 mutant embryos. The results of my analysis suggest that alpha-catenin function is conserved among metazoans but not between Dictyostelium and metazoans.M.Sc.2018-03-09 00:00:0
