title: Dynamics of F-actin prefigure the structure of butterfly wing scales.
abstract: The wings of butterflies and moths consist of dorsal and ventral epidermal surfaces that give rise to overlapping layers of scales and hairs (Lepidoptera, "scale wing"). Wing scales (average length ~200 µm) are homologous to insect bristles (macrochaetes), and their colors create the patterns that characterize lepidopteran wings. The topology and surface sculpture of wing scales vary widely, and this architectural complexity arises from variations in the developmental program of the individual scale cells of the wing epithelium. One of the more striking features of lepidopteran wing scales are the longitudinal ridges that run the length of the mature (dead) cell, gathering the cuticularized scale cell surface into pleats on the sides of each scale. While also present around the periphery of other insect bristles and hairs, longitudinal ridges in lepidopteran wing scales gain new significance for their creation of iridescent color through microribs and lamellae. Here we show the dynamics of the highly organized F-actin filaments during scale cell development, and present experimental manipulations of actin polymerization that reveal the essential role of this cytoskeletal component in wing scale elongation and the positioning of longitudinal ribs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA. Electronic address: april.dinwiddie@yale.edu.
authors.forename: April
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dinwiddie
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cell Biology & Department of Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, USA.
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Null
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cell Biology & Department of Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, USA.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pizzano
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cell Biology & Department of Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chuong
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cell Biology & Department of Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, USA.
authors.forename: Alexis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leigh Krup
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cell Biology & Department of Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, USA.
authors.forename: Hwei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ee Tan
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cell Biology & Department of Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, USA. Electronic address: nipam@uclink.berkeley.edu.
authors.forename: Nipam H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002080:Butterflies / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D049108:Cell Enlargement; D002686:Chitin / Q000378:metabolism; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D010590:Phalloidine; D013997:Time Factors; D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins; D002686:Chitin; D010590:Phalloidine
keywords: Butterfly scale ultrastructure; F-actin; Lepidoptera; Macrochaetes