Functionality of Actin Dynamics in Cellular Engulfment: Lessons from Drosophila Oogenesis

Huvaiz, Hanna (2025) Functionality of Actin Dynamics in Cellular Engulfment: Lessons from Drosophila Oogenesis. Masters thesis, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata.

Text (MS Dissertation of Hanna Huvaiz (20MS132)) 20MS132_Thesis_file.pdf - Submitted Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (2MB)

Abstract

Cellular engulfment, a phenomenon wherein one cell engulfs another, plays crucial roles in tissue remodeling and disease progression. While well-characterized in pathological contexts like cancer, its physiological relevance during development remains less understood. This study investigates the role of actin cytoskeleton dynamics in mediating nurse cell clearance during Drosophila melanogaster oogenesis, focusing on non-apoptotic forms of cell engulfment. Focusing on the late stages of egg chamber maturation, where nurse cells are cleared by the surrounding follicle cells, my work examines how perturbations in actin organization influence this engulfment process. The findings reveal that precise control of actin polymerization is crucial for successful nurse cell removal and highlight how disruptions in cytoskeletal regulation can hinder developmental progression. By situating these observations within a developmental context, this study provides fresh insight into the physiological roles of non-apoptotic cell engulfment, offering parallels to similar mechanisms observed in disease and tissue remodeling. Ultimately, this work contributes to a growing understanding of how cellular behavior is orchestrated during morphogenesis, deepening our grasp of the molecular dialogue between cytoskeletal dynamics and programmed cell removal.

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