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The Adaptor Protein Lurap1 Is Required for Cell Cohesion during Epiboly Movement in Zebrafish
Ji-Tong Li1, Xiao-Ning Cheng2, Chong Zhang1
1School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China.
Biology
|December 24, 2021
Summary
The adaptor protein Lurap1 is crucial for zebrafish epiboly, regulating cell adhesion and cytoskeletal organization. Loss of Lurap1 function disrupts deep cell intercalation, impacting epithelial morphogenesis during gastrulation.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Cell adhesion and polarized behaviors are vital for morphogenesis.
- Zebrafish epiboly involves complex cell movements and adhesion dynamics.
- The adaptor protein Lurap1 links kinases to cytoskeletal components.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Lurap1 in zebrafish epiboly.
- To understand Lurap1's function in blastoderm cell adhesion and intercalation.
- To elucidate the mechanism of Lurap1 in regulating cytoskeletal organization.
Main Methods:
- Zebrafish mutant generation (loss of maternal and zygotic Lurap1).
- Time-lapse imaging to observe epiboly and cell intercalation.
- Cell sorting and adhesion assays.
- Analysis of cytoskeletal organization.
Main Results:
- Loss of Lurap1 function caused delayed epiboly in deep blastoderm cells.
- Impaired radial cell intercalation and unstable cell movements were observed.
- Reduced cellular cohesion and disrupted cortical cytoskeletal organization were evident.
- Defects in blastoderm expansion over the yolk cell.
Conclusions:
- Lurap1 is essential for regulating blastoderm cell adhesion during zebrafish epiboly.
- Lurap1 coordinates cell movements by influencing cell behavior and cytoskeletal organization.
- This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms governing gastrulation cell movements.
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