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PATJ regulates directional migration of mammalian epithelial cells
Author(s) -
Shin Kunyoo,
Wang Qian,
Margolis Ben
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
embo reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.584
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1469-3178
pISSN - 1469-221X
DOI - 10.1038/sj.embor.7400890
Subject(s) - microbiology and biotechnology , cell polarity , polarity (international relations) , biology , rna interference , cell migration , sted microscopy , tight junction , microtubule , epithelial polarity , epithelium , cell culture , cell , rna , genetics , gene , optics , laser , physics , stimulated emission
Directional migration is important in wound healing by epithelial cells. Recent studies have shown that polarity proteins such as mammalian Partitioning‐defective 6 (Par6), atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) and mammalian Discs large 1 (Dlg1) are crucial not only for epithelial apico‐basal polarity, but also for directional movement. Here, we show that the protein associated with Lin seven 1 (PALS1)‐associated tight junction protein (PATJ), another evolutionarily conserved polarity protein, is also required for directional migration by using a wound‐induced migration assay. In addition, we found that aPKC and Par3 localize to the leading edge during migration of epithelia and that PATJ regulates their localization. Furthermore, our results show that microtubule‐organizing centre orientation is disrupted in PATJ RNA interference (RNAi) MDCKII (Madin–Darby canine kidney II) cells during migration. Together, our data indicate that PATJ controls directional migration by regulating the localization of aPKC and Par3 to the leading edge. The migration defect in PATJ RNAi cells seems to be due to the disorganization of the microtubule network induced by mislocalization of polarity proteins.