Functions of kinesin-1 motor protein in the telotrophic meroistic ovary of red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum

Abstract

 Microtubules and motor proteins are known as important factors in maintaining the intercellular polarity of oocytes in the polytrophic ovary. We examined the function of the kinesin-1 motor protein gene in the telotrophic ovary of Tribolium castaneum using RNA interference (RNAi). Knock down of the gene induced disarrangement of somatic follicle cells at the egg chamber stage in a specific manner. Furthermore, the knock down induced an abnormal shape of the egg chamber at several stages. The RNAi did not affect the cell division of follicle cells and expression of the Cut homeodomain protein that regulates follicle cell division and differentiation into stalk cells. Our results suggest that kinesin-1 is necessary in a different way for the proper development of the telotrophic ovary from that in the polytrophic ovary.