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Related Experiment Videos

Pattern formation in single cells.

J M Shulman1, D St Johnston

  • 1The Wellcome/CRC Institute and Dept of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, UK CB2 1QR. jms78@hermes.cam.ac.uk

Trends in Cell Biology
|December 28, 1999
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Single-cell patterning relies on asymmetric cues and Rho-family GTPases to establish polarity. Complex cells evolved additional mechanisms for multiple polarity axes, building on conserved yeast gene functions.

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Molecular biology
  • Developmental biology

Background:

  • Single-cell patterning is initiated by asymmetric cues that establish polarity.
  • Rho-family GTPases are crucial for processing polarity cues and actin remodeling.
  • Conserved mechanisms exist across eukaryotes for polarity establishment, originating from yeast.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the conserved mechanisms underlying single-cell polarity.
  • To investigate the role of Rho-family GTPases in polarity establishment.
  • To explore the evolution of multiple polarity axes in complex eukaryotic cells.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of Rho-family GTPase function in polarity cue processing.
  • Investigating the propagation of asymmetry through cellular components (actin, microtubules, membrane, secretory pathway).

Related Experiment Videos

  • Comparative genomics and functional studies of polarity genes in yeast and higher eukaryotes.

    • Main Results:

    • Rho-family GTPases reinforce polarity cues by remodeling cortical actin.
    • Local asymmetries are propagated to microtubules, membrane, and secretory pathways.
    • Homologues of yeast polarity genes perform conserved functions in higher eukaryotes.
    • Complex eukaryotic cells exhibit mechanisms for multiple polarity axes, unlike yeast.

    Conclusions:

    • A conserved core mechanism involving Rho-family GTPases mediates cell polarity across eukaryotes.
    • The evolution of complex cells has led to additional mechanisms for generating multiple polarity axes.
    • Understanding these fundamental processes is key to deciphering complex cell patterning and development.