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Regulation of cell polarity determinants by the Retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein

Sandhya Payankaulam1, Kelvin Yeung2, Helen McNeill2

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.

Scientific Reports
|March 15, 2016
PubMed

Insights

RB family proteins, like Rbf1 in Drosophila, regulate cell polarity. Depleting Rbf1 disrupts tissue polarity, affecting key genes and potentially linking to cancer metastasis.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • RB family proteins are known for cell cycle regulation.
  • Their role in developmental pathways is not well understood.
  • Drosophila Rbf1 was found to associate with polarity pathway genes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the regulatory role of Drosophila Rbf1 in cell polarity.
  • To determine if Rbf1 depletion causes polarity defects.
  • To explore the evolutionary conservation and implications of RB protein control over cell polarity.

Main Methods:

  • Depletion of Rbf1 in Drosophila tissues (wing and eye).
  • Analysis of key polarity gene expression (aPKC, par6, vang, pk, fmi).
  • Utilizing aPKC mutation to suppress Rbf1-induced phenotypes.

Main Results:

  • Rbf1 depletion in Drosophila tissues leads to significant polarity defects.
  • Expression of key polarity genes, including aPKC, par6, vang, pk, and fmi, is upregulated.
  • A mutation in aPKC can rescue the polarity defects caused by Rbf1 depletion.

Conclusions:

  • RB protein, specifically Rbf1 in Drosophila, plays a crucial role in regulating cell polarity.
  • This function appears to be evolutionarily conserved.
  • Dysregulation of RB control over cell polarity may have implications in cancer metastasis.

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