Visualizing Actin filaments in Drosophila tissues. Experiments with Drosophila for Biology Courses

Abstract

A cell contains several different kinds of organelles that perform various functions to keep the cell working. Besides the organelles, a cell requires systems for transport or movement within the cell and for maintenance of its size and shape. These later set of functions are carried out by the cytoskeletal system, which consists of 3 main elements: microfilaments (Actin and Myosin), intermediate filaments (Keratin) and microtubules (Tubulin). The microfilaments play an important role in cytokinesis, cytoplasmic streaming, cell motility and muscle contractions. Intermediary elements provide shape and support to cell elements to resist any stress and strain. Microtubules work in increasing surface area as cilia and assist in intra-cellular transport and chromatid separations in cells. The morphology and activity of cytoskeletal elements also affect cell’s health. For example, these have been found to be affected in early onset and progression of neurodegenerative disorders and in metastasizing cancers (Parisiadou and Huaibin, 2010; Huynh, et al., 2000; Izdebska, et al., 2018). Using different methods, it is easy to visualize these structures in Drosophila melanogaster. The protocol described here utilizes fluorescence labelling of Filamentousactin (F-Actin) as described earlier