From cells to organs: building polarized tissue.
David M Bryant1, Keith E Mostov
1Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, California 94143-2140, USA. david.bryant@ucsf.edu
Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology
|October 24, 2008
Summary
Animal cells build tissues and organs using conserved principles of cell polarity. These fundamental mechanisms, including polarity complexes and signaling networks, are repeatedly used across diverse tissue structures.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Animal development relies on the precise organization of cells into functional tissues and organs.
- Cellular arrangement and polarity are critical for establishing diverse tissue architectures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the conserved design principles governing how animal cells assemble into tissues and organs.
- To explore the common mechanisms underlying the formation of diverse tissue structures.
Main Methods:
- Review of studies on model organisms and tissues.
- Analysis of conserved polarity complexes, signaling networks, and transcription factors.
- Examination of membrane-trafficking pathways and lumen formation mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Diverse tissue structures arise from organized cellular arrangements and coordinated polarity.
- Conserved polarity complexes, signaling networks, and transcription factors are iteratively used.
- Mechanisms for lumen formation and transitions between cell polarity states (e.g., epithelial-mesenchymal) are key.
Conclusions:
- Fundamental, conserved principles govern tissue and organ assembly across species.
- Iterative application of basic cellular mechanisms underlies the diversity of tissue forms.
- Understanding these principles is crucial for developmental biology and regenerative medicine.
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