An integrin–ILK–microtubule network orients cell polarity and lumen formation in glandular epithelium

Microtubules (MTs) are essential for cell division, shape, intracellular transport, and polarity. MT stability is regulated by many factors, including MT-associated proteins and proteins controlling the amount of free tubulin heterodimers available for polymerization. Tubulin-binding cofactors are potential key regulators of free tubulin concentration, since they are required for α-β–tubulin dimerization in vitro. In this paper, we show that mutation of the Drosophila tubulin-binding cofactor B (dTBCB) affects the levels of both α- and β-tubulins and dramatically destabilizes the MT network in different fly tissues. However, we find that dTBCB is dispensable for the early MT-dependent steps of oogenesis, including cell division, and that dTBCB is not required for mitosis in several tissues. In striking contrast, the absence of dTBCB during later stages of oogenesis causes major defects in cell polarity. We show that dTBCB is required for the polarized localization of the axis-determining mRNAs within the oocyte and for the apico-basal polarity of the surrounding follicle cells. These results establish a developmental function for the dTBCB gene that is essential for viability and MT-dependent cell polarity, but not cell division.

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Cell-Polarity Dynamics Controls the Mechanism of Lumen Formation in Epithelial Morphogenesis

Current Biology ◽

10.1016/j.cub.2008.04.013 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 18 (8) ◽

pp. 630

Author(s):

Fernando Martín-Belmonte ◽

Wei Yu ◽

Alejo E. Rodríguez-Fraticelli ◽

Andrew J. Ewald ◽

Zena Werb ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Polarity ◽

Epithelial Morphogenesis ◽

Lumen Formation

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Motor usage imprints microtubule stability in the shaft

10.1101/2021.04.09.439170 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mireia Andreu-Carbo ◽

Simon Fernandes ◽

Marie-Claire Celluz ◽

Karsten Kruse ◽

Charlotte Aumeier

Keyword(s):

Motor Activity ◽

Cell Polarity ◽

Molecular Motors ◽

Intracellular Transport ◽

Average Length ◽

Microtubule Network ◽

Microtubule Stability ◽

Transport Organization

Tubulin dimers assemble into dynamic microtubules which are used by molecular motors as tracks for intracellular transport. Organization and dynamics of the microtubule network is commonly thought to be regulated at the polymer ends, where tubulin-dimers can be added or removed. Here we show that molecular motors running on microtubules cause exchange of dimers along the shaft. These sites of dimer exchange act as rescue sites where depolymerising microtubules stop shrinking and start re-growing. Consequently, the average length of microtubules increases depending on how frequently they are used as motor tracks. An increase of motor activity densifies the cellular microtubule network and enhances cell polarity. Running motors leave marks in the shaft serving as traces of microtubule usage to organize the polarity landscape of the cell.

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β1 Integrin Establishes Endothelial Cell Polarity and Arteriolar Lumen Formation via a Par3-Dependent Mechanism

Developmental Cell ◽

10.1016/j.devcel.2009.12.006 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 39-51 ◽

Cited By ~ 167

Author(s):

Ann C. Zovein ◽

Alfonso Luque ◽

Kirsten A. Turlo ◽

Jennifer J. Hofmann ◽

Kathleen M. Yee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endothelial Cell ◽

Cell Polarity ◽

Β1 Integrin ◽

Lumen Formation ◽

Dependent Mechanism

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Generation and regulation of microtubule network asymmetry to drive cell polarity

Current Opinion in Cell Biology ◽

10.1016/j.ceb.2019.10.004 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 62 ◽

pp. 86-95 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Joyce C.M. Meiring ◽

Boris I. Shneyer ◽

Anna Akhmanova

Keyword(s):

Cell Polarity ◽

Microtubule Network

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