Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Biological Sciences
Document Type
Dissertation
Abstract
The formation of tubular organs—such as the heart and kidneys—is a complex developmental process that requires the precise coordination of tissue remodeling with dynamic changes in cellular behavior. Key processes including cell proliferation, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix (ECM) formation must be tightly synchronized with mechanisms that generate and transmit physical forces, transforming a flat epithelial sheet into a three-dimensional organ. Disruptions in the homeostasis of these processes during organogenesis can lead to congenital defects, such as pulmonary atresia and renal hypoplasia.
To investigate the mechanisms underlying epithelial morphogenesis, the Chung laboratory employs the Drosophila embryonic salivary gland (SG) as a model for tubular organ formation. The studies presented in this dissertation aim to elucidate the interdependence of tubular organ formation with cell cycle regulation and ECM remodeling. Transcription factors are central to coordinating tissue reorganization and regulating cellular processes during organogenesis. In the second chapter of this dissertation, I showed that the SP1/KLF transcription factor, Huckebein, is critical for controlling SG tube size by regulating cell cycle progression and programmed cell death. In the third chapter, I revealed a mutually dependent relationship between endoreplication and morphogenesis, showing that each process can influence the progression of the other. The fourth chapter addresses the role of the non-chitinous apical ECM (aECM) in tubulogenesis, demonstrating that the sulfation of ECM proteins is essential for maintaining proper tube dimensions during epithelial tube formation.
By integrating genetic, molecular, computational, and morphological approaches, this work provides a comprehensive understanding of organ morphogenesis. The findings advance our knowledge of how specific cellular processes are regulated during tissue development and elucidate the genetic controls that coordinate these events. Ultimately, this research offers insights that could inform translational studies aimed at in vitro organ growth, tissue regeneration, and the development of therapies for congenital defects arising from failed organogenesis.
Date
3-28-2025
Recommended Citation
Matthew, Jeffrey, "Studies on Cell Cycle Regulation and ECM Modification during Tubular Organ Formation in Drosophila Embryos" (2025). LSU Doctoral Dissertations. 6731.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/6731
Committee Chair
Chung, SeYeon