Gastrulation Defective Protease Interacts with Anionic Components of the Drosophila Ovary Extracellular Matrix

The Drosophila proteases Gastrulation Defective and Snake function in embryonic polarity establishment and bind heparin, a surrogate for anionic species present in the extracellular matrix. Here we demonstrate binding of GD, but not Snake, to anionic species that appear to be tightly associated with a highly purified eggshell matrix.