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αE-catenin inhibits YAP/TAZ activity to regulate signalling centre formation during tooth development
Chun-Ying Li1,2, Jimmy Hu2, Hongbing Lu2
1The Research Center and Department of Pathology, Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian 116001, China.
Nature Communications
|July 14, 2016
Summary
Alpha-E-catenin is crucial for forming embryonic signaling centers by preventing cell division. This protein restricts YAP/TAZ activity, enabling specialized cell clusters like the enamel knot to develop.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Embryonic signaling centers are vital for organ development but their formation mechanisms in mammals remain unclear.
- These specialized cell clusters regulate organogenesis by directing cell behavior and differentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of alpha-E-catenin in establishing mammalian embryonic signaling centers.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which alpha-E-catenin regulates cell proliferation and signaling within these centers.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the murine incisor as a model system to study tooth signaling center (enamel knot) formation.
- Investigated the function of alpha-E-catenin in inhibiting nuclear YAP localization and cell proliferation.
- Examined the impact of combined Yap and Taz deletion on enamel knot development in the absence of alpha-E-catenin.
Main Results:
- Alpha-E-catenin is essential for inhibiting nuclear YAP localization and suppressing cell proliferation.
- This function of alpha-E-catenin is critical for the formation of the enamel knot, a key signaling center in tooth development.
- Enamel knot formation relies on the signaling role of alpha-E-catenin via YAP/TAZ, not its adhesive function.
- Simultaneous deletion of Yap and Taz genes rescued enamel knot defects caused by alpha-E-catenin loss.
Conclusions:
- Alpha-E-catenin restricts YAP/TAZ activity to establish non-proliferating, specialized cells forming signaling centers.
- This mechanism is crucial for the proper development of organs requiring signaling centers, such as teeth.
- Findings reveal a novel developmental pathway involving alpha-E-catenin in regulating cell fate and tissue patterning.
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