Premium
Junctions as Organizing Centers in Epithelial Cells? A Fly Perspective
Author(s) -
Lecuit Thomas,
Wieschaus Eric
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
traffic
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.677
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1600-0854
pISSN - 1398-9219
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0854.2002.030202.x
Subject(s) - biology , cell polarity , microbiology and biotechnology , epithelial polarity , transmembrane protein , polarity (international relations) , drosophila (subgenus) , septate junctions , scaffold protein , apical membrane , basal (medicine) , epithelium , cell , genetics , gap junction , signal transduction , intracellular , gene , receptor , endocrinology , insulin
Junctions isolate the apical from the basal–lateral surfaces and are required for the polarization of epithelial cells. Genetics of junction formation in Drosophila has identified numerous transmembrane and scaffolding proteins that assemble in membrane‐associated complexes. This review focuses on recent findings suggesting that junctions are autonomous organizing centers for the establishment and maintenance of apical‐basal polarity in epithelial cells as well as other polarized processes such as the orientation of the division apparatus.