Cdc42 regulates epithelial cell polarity and cytoskeletal function during kidney tubule development

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 31, 2026

Implementing Patch Clamp and Live Fluorescence Microscopy to Monitor Functional Properties of Freshly Isolated PKD Epithelium
08:46

Implementing Patch Clamp and Live Fluorescence Microscopy to Monitor Functional Properties of Freshly Isolated PKD Epithelium

Published on: September 1, 2015

10.3K

Bertha C Elias1, Amrita Das2, Diptiben V Parekh1

  • 1Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.

Journal of Cell Science
|October 23, 2015
PubMed

Insights

The Rho GTPase Cdc42 is crucial for kidney development, regulating epithelial cell polarity and the actin cytoskeleton. Its deletion impairs tubulogenesis, leading to renal failure.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The Rho GTPase Cdc42 is vital for cell functions like polarity, migration, and morphogenesis.
  • While Cdc42's role in epithelial development is known, its specific function in kidney development remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the precise role of Cdc42 in murine kidney epithelial tubulogenesis.
  • To investigate Cdc42's function in ureteric bud and metanephric mesenchyme development.

Main Methods:

  • Selective deletion of Cdc42 in ureteric bud or metanephric mesenchyme lineages in mice.
  • In vitro analysis of Cdc42-null collecting duct cells.

Main Results:

  • Cdc42 deletion in either lineage caused abnormal tubulogenesis, polarity defects, and impaired lumen formation.
  • Defects in the actin cytoskeleton were observed, ultimately leading to renal failure.
  • In vitro studies revealed Cdc42 regulates the Par complex and cytoskeletal proteins like N-Wasp and ezrin.

Conclusions:

  • Cdc42 is essential for regulating epithelial cell polarity and the actin cytoskeleton during kidney development.
  • These functions are critical for proper ureteric bud and metanephric mesenchyme development.
  • Dysregulation of Cdc42 leads to severe kidney developmental defects and renal failure.
Keywords:
Epithelial cellGTPaseMetanephric mesenchymeSignalingUreteric bud

More Related Videos

Dissection and Culture of Mouse Embryonic Kidney08:30

Dissection and Culture of Mouse Embryonic Kidney

Published on: May 17, 2017

12.9K
Isolation and Culture of Cells from the Nephrogenic Zone of the Embryonic Mouse Kidney08:06

Isolation and Culture of Cells from the Nephrogenic Zone of the Embryonic Mouse Kidney

Published on: April 22, 2011

18.6K

Related Concept Videos

Microtubules in Signaling01:22

Microtubules in Signaling

The primary cilium, made up of microtubules, acts as antennae on the cell surfaces for relaying external stimuli into the cells. These fine hair-like structures are present, generally one per cell. These are non-motile cilia in a 9+0 microtubules arrangement, where the central pair of microtubules are absent. The primary cilia arise from the basal body embedded in the cell membrane. Intraflagellar transport (IFT) carries requisite proteins from the cytoplasm to the cilium because the primary...
2.3K
Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration01:32

Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration

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...
5.7K
Polarity of the Cytoskeleton01:18

Polarity of the Cytoskeleton

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...
25.5K
Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures01:32

Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures

Complex microtubule structures are present in resting cells and in dividing cells. In resting cells, they are responsible for maintaining the cellular architecture, tracks for intracellular transport, positioning of organelles, assembly of cilia and flagella. They mediate the bipolar spindle assembly for chromosomal segregation and positioning of the cell division plate in dividing cells. The formation of microtubule complex structures depends on the cell type, cell stage, and cell function.
2.8K
Cell Polarization by Rho Proteins01:21

Cell Polarization by Rho Proteins

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,...
4.1K
Renal Tubule and Collecting Duct01:24

Renal Tubule and Collecting Duct

The renal tubule is divided into three parts: the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT), the Loop of Henle (LOH), and the distal convoluted tubule (DCT).
Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT):
The PCT is the initial segment of the renal tubule, extending from the Bowman's capsule that encloses the glomerulus. Its convoluted structure and microvilli-lined cells increase the surface area for reabsorption. The PCT reabsorbs glucose, amino acids, sodium, and water from the filtrate, ensuring essential...
4.4K