Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 16, 2026

Detection of In Situ Protein-protein Complexes at the Drosophila Larval Neuromuscular Junction Using Proximity Ligation Assay
Published on: January 20, 2015
The polarity protein Scribble positions DLC3 at adherens junctions to regulate Rho signaling
Janina Hendrick1, Mirita Franz-Wachtel2, Yvonne Moeller1
1Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, Stuttgart 70569, Germany.
Abstract:
The spatial regulation of cellular Rho signaling by GAP proteins is still poorly understood. By performing mass spectrometry, we here identify the polarity protein Scribble as a scaffold for the RhoGAP protein DLC3 (also known as StarD8) at cell-cell adhesions. This mutually dependent interaction is mediated by the PDZ domains of Scribble and a PDZ ligand (PDZL) motif in DLC3. Both Scribble depletion and PDZL deletion abrogated DLC3 junctional localization. Using a RhoA biosensor and a targeted GAP domain, we demonstrate that DLC3 activity locally regulates RhoA-ROCK signaling at and Scribble localization to adherens junctions, and is required for their functional integrity. In a 3D model of cyst development, we furthermore show that DLC3 depletion impairs polarized morphogenesis, phenocopying the effects observed upon Scribble knockdown. We thus propose a new function for Scribble in Rho regulation that entails positioning of DLC3 GAP activity at cell junctions in polarized epithelial cells.
More Related Videos
10:27Spatio-Temporal Manipulation of Small GTPase Activity at Subcellular Level and on Timescale of Seconds in Living Cells
Published on: March 9, 2012
12:15The C. elegans Intestine As a Model for Intercellular Lumen Morphogenesis and In Vivo Polarized Membrane Biogenesis at the Single-cell Level: Labeling by Antibody Staining, RNAi Loss-of-function Analy
Published on: October 3, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Cell Polarization by Rho Proteins
Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration
Small GTPases - Ras and Rho
Three regulatory proteins control their activity:
Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation
Mechanism of Filopodia Formation
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...
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Some...