Maternal expression of sstn^{dsRNA.shRNA.Scer\UAS.P\T.3} (under the simultaneous control of Scer\GAL4^{otu.T:Hsim\VP16}, Scer\GAL4^nos.PG and Scer\GAL4^{nos.UTR.T:Hsim\VP16}) results in defects in early embryos. Pseudocleavage and cellularization furrows extend effectively into the embryo as in controls, but then the membranes undergo abnormal perpendicular expansion from the base of the furrows. The expanded membranes are coated with a cytoskeleton marker (pnut) and are seen to encroach into the space normally occupied by the nuclei, resulting in nuclei with indentations and bottle-like shapes.