biostudies-literatureUnknownYeh ARNIHNIGMS NIH HHSActin networks undergo rearrangements that influence cell and tissue shape. Actin network assembly and organization is regulated in space and time by a host of actin binding proteins. The <i>Drosophila</i> Synaptotagmin-like protein, Bitesize (Btsz), is known to organize actin at epithelial cell apical junctions in a manner that depends on its interaction with the actin-binding protein, Moesin. Using RNAi, we showed that Btsz functions at earlier, syncytial stages of <i>Drosophila</i> embryo development. Btsz is required to stabilize pseudo-cleavage furrows that prevent metaphase spindle collisions and nuclear fallout prior to cellularization. While previous studies have focused on Btsz function through Moesin, we find that phosphorylated Moesin localized to the nuclear envelope and was nobioRxiv : the preprint server for biology2023.04.17.537198https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10153138biostudies-literatureBitesize bundles F-actin and influences actin remodeling in syncytial &lt;i&gt;Drosophila&lt;/i&gt; embryo development.PMC10153138R01 GM105984R35 GM134895R35 GM144115R01 GM084947Goode BLHoeprich GJYeh ARMartin ACMcDougal AfalseBitesize bundles F-actin and influences actin remodeling in syncytial &lt;i&gt;Drosophila&lt;/i&gt; embryo development.Actin networks undergo rearrangements that influence cell and tissue shape. Actin network assembly and organization is regulated in space and time by a host of actin binding proteins. The <i>Drosophila</i> Synaptotagmin-like protein, Bitesize (Btsz), is known to organize actin at epithelial cell apical junctions in a manner that depends on its interaction with the actin-binding protein, Moesin. Using RNAi, we showed that Btsz functions at earlier, syncytial stages of <i>Drosophila</i> embryo development. Btsz is required to stabilize pseudo-cleavage furrows that prevent metaphase spindle collisions and nuclear fallout prior to cellularization. While previous studies have focused on Btsz function through Moesin, we find that phosphorylated Moesin localized to the nuclear envelope and was no2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Jun2025-08-24T03:07:30.234Z2025-08-24T03:07:30.234ZS-EPMC101531383713180710.1101/2023.04.17.537198