Microtubules regulate disassembly of epithelial apical junctions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Epithelial tight junction (TJ) and adherens junction (AJ) form the apical junctional complex (AJC) which regulates cell-cell adhesion, paracellular permeability and cell polarity. The AJC is anchored on cytoskeletal structures including actin microfilaments and microtubules. Such cytoskeletal interactions are thought to be important for the assembly and remodeling of apical junctions. In the present study, we investigated the role of microtubules in disassembly of the AJC in intestinal epithelial cells using a model of extracellular calcium depletion.

Results

Calcium depletion resulted in disruption and internalization of epithelial TJs and AJs along with reorganization of perijunctional F-actin into contractile rings. Microtubules reorganized into dense plaques p

SUBMITTER: Ivanov AI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1444913 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature