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Apical junctions and cell signalling in epithelia

D F Woods1, P J Bryant

  • 1Developmental Biology Center, University of California, Irvine 92717.

Journal of Cell Science. Supplement
|January 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary

This study explores how apical junctions in epithelial cells contribute to cell signaling and development. Using Drosophila as a model, researchers identified proteins localized at adherens and septate junctions. These proteins, including Notch, Boss, sevenless, and Armadillo, are involved in cell fate and proliferation. The tumor suppressor gene dlg is also localized at septate junctions and is required for junction formation and cell polarity. The study suggests that signaling events important for cell fate and proliferation occur at apical junctions. The migration of the nucleus to the apical surface during mitosis may enable interaction with junction-associated signals. These findings may help clarify how epithelial cells coordinate signaling for tissue development.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell signaling in developmental biology
  • Epithelial cell biology
  • Drosophila genetics

Background:

Prior research has shown that epithelial cells use apical junctions to coordinate signaling for tissue development. Established knowledge includes the role of adherens junctions in cell adhesion and polarity. However, the specific proteins and signaling mechanisms at apical junctions remain unclear. No prior work had resolved how these junctions contribute to cell fate and proliferation. This gap motivated the need to identify proteins localized at these junctions. Genetic studies in Drosophila have revealed several proteins involved in cell-cell interactions. These proteins are enriched in adherens and septate junctions. The study aims to clarify how these proteins function in epithelial signaling.

Purpose Of The Study:

The aim of this study is to identify proteins localized at apical junctions in epithelial cells and determine their roles in cell signaling. The specific problem is understanding how cell fate and proliferation are controlled at these junctions. The motivation comes from the need to bridge genetic findings with functional roles in epithelia. The study focuses on Drosophila as a model system for epithelial development. Researchers propose to examine the localization and function of key proteins in these junctions. This approach allows for a detailed analysis of signaling events in epithelial cells. The study also seeks to link junction localization with specific developmental outcomes. The findings may clarify how apical junctions regulate cell behavior in tissues.

Keywords:
apical junctionsepithelial signalingDrosophila geneticscell fate determination

Frequently Asked Questions

The authors propose that proteins localized at apical junctions mediate signaling events controlling cell fate and proliferation.

Notch, Boss, sevenless, and Armadillo are enriched at adherens junctions and are involved in cell fate and patterning.

The localization suggests these proteins are involved in signaling events that control cell interactions and proliferation.

The dlg gene product is required for septate junction formation and apical basal cell polarity.

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Main Methods:

The study uses genetic analysis in Drosophila to identify proteins at apical junctions. Researchers examine the localization of these proteins in adherens and septate junctions. They use immunostaining and genetic mutants to determine protein function. The approach involves analyzing mutant phenotypes to infer protein roles. The study includes Notch, Boss, sevenless, and Armadillo as key proteins. Researchers assess their localization and enrichment in epithelial junctions. The method also involves observing nuclear migration during mitosis. This allows for the evaluation of how junctions interact with the nucleus.

Main Results:

The strongest finding is the localization of Notch at adherens junctions, which is important for neuroblast and bristle patterning. Boss and sevenless are localized at adherens junctions and are required for R7 photoreceptor cell formation. Armadillo is enriched at adherens junctions and is required for wingless-dependent cell interactions. The tumor suppressor gene dlg product is localized at septate junctions and is required for junction formation. This protein also controls apical basal polarity and cell proliferation. The study shows that signaling events for cell fate and proliferation occur at apical junctions. The migration of the nucleus to the apical surface during mitosis enables interaction with junction-associated signals. These findings suggest a direct link between junction localization and signaling outcomes.

Conclusions:

The authors propose that cell signaling events for fate and proliferation occur at apical junctions in epithelia. They suggest that proteins like Notch, Boss, sevenless, and Armadillo are localized at these junctions. The study indicates that dlg is required for septate junction formation and cell polarity. The results suggest that nuclear migration during mitosis allows interaction with junction-associated signals. The findings support the idea that apical junctions are sites of signaling in epithelial cells. The study does not claim that these proteins are essential but suggests their localization is important. The authors propose that these junctions coordinate signaling for tissue development. The results may inform future studies on epithelial cell signaling mechanisms.

The migration of the nucleus to the apical surface allows it to interact with junction-associated signaling mechanisms.

The findings suggest that apical junctions are sites where signaling events for cell fate and proliferation occur.