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Ménage a Trois to Form the Tricellular Junction
David Flores-Benitez1, Elisabeth Knust1
1Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307-Dresden, Germany.
Developmental Cell
|June 10, 2015
Summary
Researchers discovered Anakonda, a novel protein in Drosophila, that explains the tripartite septum structure within tricellular junctions. This finding clarifies how these junctions tightly seal epithelial tissues.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Developmental biology
- Epithelial biology
Background:
- Tricellular junctions are critical for sealing epithelial tissues at the interface of three cells.
- The ultrastructure of the tripartite septum within these junctions has been previously observed but its molecular basis was unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the molecular components responsible for forming the tripartite septum in Drosophila tricellular junctions.
- To elucidate the structural organization of proteins involved in sealing tricellular junctions.
Main Methods:
- Ultrastructure analysis of Drosophila epithelia.
- Identification and characterization of novel transmembrane proteins at tricellular junctions.
Main Results:
- Discovery of Anakonda, a novel transmembrane protein in Drosophila.
- Anakonda possesses an unusual tripartite extracellular domain organization.
- This organization directly explains the formation of the tripartite septum observed in tricellular junctions.
Conclusions:
- Anakonda is a key protein responsible for the structure and sealing function of tricellular junctions.
- The tripartite extracellular domain of Anakonda dictates the formation of the tripartite septum.
- This study provides molecular insight into epithelial sealing mechanisms.