Organization and execution of the epithelial polarity programme
Enrique Rodriguez-Boulan1, Ian G Macara2
1Margaret Dyson Vision Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, LC-301 New York City, New York 10065, USA.
Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology
|March 22, 2014
Summary
Epithelial cells need polarity for vital functions and tissue development. This study explores the epithelial polarity programme (EPP) and its regulation by protein and lipid networks, crucial for cell organization and trafficking.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Epithelial cells require apical-basal polarity for essential functions like vectorial transport and tissue morphogenesis.
- The epithelial polarity programme (EPP) governs the establishment and maintenance of polarized epithelial cells with distinct surface domains.
- EPP is influenced by extracellular cues and involves apical-basal axis formation, intercellular junctions, cytoskeletal changes, and polarized trafficking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the regulatory network controlling the epithelial polarity programme (EPP).
- To investigate the interplay between EPP and polarized trafficking machinery in epithelial cell polarization and depolarization.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of protein and lipid regulators involved in EPP.
- Investigating the response of EPP to extracellular cues.
- Examining the role of intercellular junctions and cytoskeletal rearrangements.
- Studying the polarized trafficking machinery and its interaction with EPP.
Main Results:
- Identified key protein and lipid regulators orchestrating the epithelial polarity programme (EPP).
- Demonstrated that EPP is organized in response to extracellular signals.
- Highlighted the critical role of polarized trafficking machinery in regulating epithelial polarization and depolarization.
Conclusions:
- The epithelial polarity programme (EPP) is a complex network essential for epithelial cell function and tissue development.
- Interactions between EPP and polarized trafficking are crucial for maintaining epithelial cell organization and dynamics.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Cell Polarization by Rho Proteins
3.2K
Cell polarity is the asymmetric distribution of cellular and membrane components, making one side of the cell different from the other. This polarity is essential to many processes such as embryogenesis, axon migration, glucose transport across epithelial cells, and directional cell migration. A migrating cell responds to intracellular or extracellular signals via molecular cascades that reorganize the actin cytoskeleton to establish this polarity. In these cells, the Rho family proteins Cdc42,...
3.2K
01:32Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration
4.9K
A migrating cell changes its shape during the cyclic events of attachment and detachment from the substratum and repositions the cell organelles correspondingly. These complex events are orchestrated by the dynamic cytoskeletal network comprising actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. Cytoskeletal crosstalk — the direct and indirect communication between the different components — is crucial for this coordination. Direct communication involves various linker...
4.9K
01:18Polarity of the Cytoskeleton
17.2K
The intrinsic polarity of cells can be primarily attributed to two factors- i) the asymmetric accumulation of mobile components such are regulatory molecules and subcellular components across the cell and ii) the orientation of polar cytoskeletal filaments that make up the cytoskeletal networks, specifically microfilaments, and microtubules arranged along the axis of polarity. Interactions between the cytoskeletal filaments are crucial for the establishment and maintenance of the polar nature...
17.2K
01:39Mechanism of Filopodia Formation
2.5K
Filopodia are thin, actin-rich cellular protrusions that play an important role in many fundamental cellular functions. They vary in their occurrence, length, and positioning in different cell types, suggesting their diverse roles.
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...
2.5K
02:13Determining the Plane of Cell Division
2.7K
Positioning the cell division plane is a critical step during development and cell differentiation, particularly during mitosis when the plane is essential for determining the size of the two daughter cells. The cell division plane is perpendicular to the plane of chromosome segregation, but different types of organisms have different cell division mechanisms to suit their morphology and function.
Animal cells
In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms along the plane of cell division...
Animal cells
In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms along the plane of cell division...
2.7K
01:31Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation
3.1K
Cells migrating in response to external stimuli form lamellipodia, which are thin membrane protrusions supported by a mesh of linked, branched, or unbranched actin filaments. These actin filaments interact with myosin motor proteins, creating the dynamic actomyosin complex within the cytoskeleton. Contractility, or the ability to generate contractile stress, is inherent to the actomyosin complex. It helps cells detect the stiffness of the surrounding ECM and exert contractile force for...
3.1K