Genetic and molecular study of chitin synthesis and assembly in the embryonic cuticle of Drosophila melanogaster

含有多糖的细胞外基质(PECM)，如软骨和节肢动物的角质层，是自然界中丰富的结构，有助于塑造细胞、组织和整个生物体。在过去的几十年里，这类ECM的超结构和组成已经得到了很好的描述；然而，管理PECM组织的分子机制的核心方面仍有待研究。研究pECM分化原理的一个很好的模型是遗传和分子上高度可及的果蝇黑腹果蝇的胚胎角质层。角质层的多糖层是下层角质层，含有与蛋白质结合的几丁质多糖，负责角质层的弹性。虽然许多甲壳素结合蛋白已经被分离和鉴定，但控制原组织的分子途径在很大程度上是未知的。本项目的目的是阐明几丁质合成酶以及两种膜结合因子Kickkopf(KNK)和Retroactive(RTV)在原肠蛋白-几丁质复合体组装中的分子作用，以帮助理解pECM的分化。

Polysaccharide-containing extracellular matrices (pECMs) like cartilage and the cuticle of arthropods are abundant structures in nature that assist shaping cells, tissues and whole organisms. The ultra-structure and composition of such ECMs has been well described in the last decades; however, central aspects of molecular mechanisms that govern the organisation of pECMs have still to be investigated. An excellent model to study principles of pECM differentiation is the embryonic cuticle of the genetically and molecularly highly accessible fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster. The polysaccharide-containing layer of the cuticle is the lower procuticle that harbours the polysaccharide chitin in association with proteins, responsible for cuticle elasticity. Although many chitin-binding proteins have been isolated and characterised, the molecular pathways controlling procuticle organisation are largely unknown. The aim of this project is to elucidate the molecular roles of the chitin synthase as well as of two membranebound factors, Knickkopf (Knk) and Retroactive (Rtv), in the assembly of the protein-chitin complex in the procuticle to contribute to the understanding of pECM differentiation.