Regulation of membrane dynamics in developing epithelia
1Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille, Laboratoire de Génétique et de Physiologie du Développement, Campus de Luminy, case 907, 13288 Marseille, cedex 09, France. lecuit@ibdm.univ-mrs/fr
Current Opinion in Genetics & Development
|July 31, 2003
Summary
Understanding cell surface dynamics is key to animal development. Research in model organisms reveals how cell polarization and tissue formation are controlled by trafficking pathways and signaling.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cellular processes at the cell surface are crucial for development.
- Understanding these dynamics requires studying trafficking pathways and cytoskeletal elements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze mechanisms controlling cell polarization and tissue morphogenesis.
- To identify signaling pathways regulating cellular effectors in development.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing genetically tractable organisms for detailed analysis.
- Investigating trafficking pathways and cytoskeletal dynamics.
- Identifying key signaling pathways.
Main Results:
- Elucidated mechanisms of cell polarization during development.
- Characterized the role of cytoskeletal elements in morphogenesis.
- Identified signaling pathways that trigger and cue cellular processes.
Conclusions:
- Cell surface dynamics are fundamental to animal development.
- Genetically tractable models provide powerful insights into developmental mechanisms.
- Signaling pathways are critical regulators of cell migration, morphogenesis, and epithelial formation.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Membrane Fluidity
Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates loosely attached to one another through chemical interactions. Molecules are generally able to move about in the plane of the membrane, giving the membrane its flexible nature called fluidity. Two other features of the membrane contribute to membrane fluidity: the chemical structure of the phospholipids and the presence of cholesterol in the membrane.Fatty acids tails of phospholipids can be either saturated or...
Membrane Fluidity
Membrane fluidity is explained by the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane, which describes the plasma membrane structure as a mosaic of components—including phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates—that gives the membrane a fluid character.
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is a relatively...
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is a relatively...
Membrane Domains
The membrane domains concentrate specific lipids and proteins at one place within the membrane, which helps in cell signaling, adhesion, and other critical cellular processes. These domains can differ in size, composition, function, and lifespan.
Protein Domains
The membrane comprises a group of distinct proteins responsible for carrying out a cell's specific function. For example, the plasma membrane of the human sperm, or a single germ cell, contains a unique set of proteins in the anterior...
Protein Domains
The membrane comprises a group of distinct proteins responsible for carrying out a cell's specific function. For example, the plasma membrane of the human sperm, or a single germ cell, contains a unique set of proteins in the anterior...
Mechanisms of Membrane-bending
The living membranes are flexible due to their fluid mosaic nature; however, their bending into different shapes is an active process regulated by specific lipids and proteins. The membrane bending can be transient as seen in vesicles or stable for a long time as in microvilli. Cells regulate the size, location, and duration of the membrane curvature.
Membrane bending can happen due to intrinsic changes in lipid composition or extrinsic association with different proteins. The proteins involved...
Membrane bending can happen due to intrinsic changes in lipid composition or extrinsic association with different proteins. The proteins involved...
Cell Motility through Blebbing
Blebs are a type of membrane protrusion formed by the internal hydrostatic pressure of the cytoplasm. Blebs are observed in several cell types, including fibroblasts, immune cells, and single-celled organisms like the amoeba. The primary function of blebs is cell locomotion and apoptosis, but they are also found during necrosis and cell division. The life cycle of a bleb comprises an initiation phase followed by the expansion and retraction phases.
Blebbing Through the Matrix
In multicellular...
Blebbing Through the Matrix
In multicellular...
Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation
Different physical properties of lipids and proteins allow them to localize and form distinct islands or domains in the membrane. Some membrane domains are formed due to protein-protein interactions, whereas others are formed due to the presence of specific lipids such as sphingolipids and sterols—for example, large proteins, such as bacteriorhodopsin, aggregate and create distinct domains.
Another mechanism for membrane domain formation involves membrane proteins interacting with cytoskeletal...
Another mechanism for membrane domain formation involves membrane proteins interacting with cytoskeletal...


