Abstract: The actin cytoskeleton provides the framework necessary for epithelial cells to maintain shape and structural integrity. Drosophila eye tissue contains several different types of epithelial cells. Each type has a specific shape and is arranged in a specific location to pattern the eye and generate a functional organ. We have observed that each cell type has unique actin cytoskeletal structures. For example, our initial studies led to the identification of striking apical radial actin filaments (ARAFs) and we hypothesize that these are similar to stress fibers. ARAFs are generated in only one cell type in the eye, primary pigment cells (1º), and are organized to radiate axially resembling spokes on a wheel. We first identified ARAFs in fixed tissue, and handling may have caused artifacts in their structure. Hence, our objective was to image live tissue with the aim of defining ARAF structure and elucidating the time at which they form. So far, our results indicate that ARAFs develop at approximately 37 hours after puparium formation (APF). In addition, whilst imaging live pupal eyes, we observed that the apical membrane of 1º cells appears to ‘balloon’ at around the time of ARAF formation. The relationship between ARAF generation and the apical expansion of 1º cells remains to be explored.
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