Drosophila unconventional myosin VI is involved in intra- and intercellular transport during oogenesis

During mid-oogenesis of Drosophila, cyto plasmic particles are transported within the nurse cells and through ring canals (cytoplasmic bridges) into the oocyte by means of a microfilament-dependent mecha nism. Video-intensified fluorescence timelapse mi croscopy, in combination with microinjections of antibodies directed against Drosophila 95F myosin, have revealed that this unconventional myosin of class VI is involved in the transport processes. The results indicate that certain cytoplasmic particles in the nurse cells move along microfilaments due to their direct association with myosin VI motors. Additional myosin- VI molecules located at the rim of the ring canals seem to be involved in particle transport into the oocyte. Microinjected mitochondria-specific dyes have revealed that some of these particles are mitochondria. Received 3 April 1997; received after revision 5 May 1997; accepted 27 May 1997