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Developmental control of cell morphogenesis: a focus on membrane growth
1Laboratoire de Génétique et de Physiologie du Developpement, Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille, CNRS-Université de la Méditerrannée, Campus de Luminy, Case 907 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, France. lecuit@ibdm.univ-mrs.fr
Nature Cell Biology
|February 4, 2003
Summary
Membrane transport and insertion are crucial for cell and tissue morphogenesis, driving processes like tubulogenesis and cell intercalation through polarized growth and endocytic recycling.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Cytoskeletal rearrangements and cell attachments are well-studied drivers of morphogenesis.
- The role of membrane transport and insertion in cell and tissue remodeling remains under-explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the importance of polarized membrane growth in cell morphogenesis.
- To propose a general model for endocytic recycling in cell shape changes.
- To explain how membrane insertion dynamics control tissue rearrangements.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of developmental systems.
- Analysis of spatio-temporal control of membrane insertion.
- Model development for cell surface remodeling.
Main Results:
- Polarized membrane growth is a key factor in cell morphogenesis.
- Endocytic recycling plays a significant role in cell shape regulation.
- Controlled membrane insertion underlies various tissue rearrangements like tubulogenesis, spreading, and intercalation.
Conclusions:
- Membrane transport and insertion are critical, yet overlooked, regulators of morphogenesis.
- Cell intrinsic surface remodeling events dictate cell migration modes.
- A unified model integrating membrane dynamics explains diverse developmental processes.