Date of Award
Fall 1996
Document Type
Dissertation - Restricted
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Biological Sciences
First Advisor
Waring, Gail L.
Second Advisor
Fredericks, Walter W.
Third Advisor
Kumaran, A. K.
Abstract
Fundamental to developmental biology is the formation of extracellular matrices around living cells. These structures are heteropolymeric complexes derived from the interactions and assembly of secreted components. The tissue-specific composition of each matrix influen~ its three-dimensional architecture and may impact the physiology of matrix-contacted cells. The multilayered, multifunctional Drosophila eggshell is an excellent model system in which to study the interrelationships between composition, ultrastructure, and functions of a matrix, for in this system the production of biochemically aberrant eggshells often results in structural deformations and female sterility. Hence, toward understanding eggshell function during reproduction in the fly, as well as toward characterizing general features of supramolecular protein assembly, this research focused on examining the molecular roles played by four individual protein components of the stratified Drosophila eggshell matrix.