GENETIC-ANALYSIS OF THE ACTIN CYTOSKELETON IN THE DROSOPHILA OVARY

The Drosophila ovary provides a favorable model system in which to stu dy cellular morphogenesis. The development of a mature egg involves a syncytium of 16 germline cells and over 1000 somatically derived folli cle cells. Intercellular transport, stable intercellular bridges, cell migrations, cell shape changes, and specific subcellular localization of many embryonic patterning determinants contribute to egg developme nt and require a dynamic cytoskeleton. We discuss many of the recent g enetic and cell biological studies that have led to insights into how the actin cytoskeleton is assembled and regulated during the morphogen esis of the Drosophila egg.