Asymmetry of early endosome distribution in C. elegans embryos.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Endocytosis is involved in the regulation of many cellular events, including signalling, cell migration, and cell polarity. To begin to investigate roles for endocytosis in early C. elegans development, we examined the distribution and dynamics of early endosomes (EEs) in embryos.

Methodology/principal findings

EEs are primarily found at the cell periphery with an initially uniform distribution after fertilization. Strikingly, we find that during the first cell cycle, EEA-1 positive EEs become enriched at the anterior cortex. In contrast, the Golgi compartment shows no asymmetry in distribution. Asymmetric enrichment of EEs depends on acto-myosin contractility and embryonic PAR polarity. In addition to their localization at the cortex, EEs are also found around th

SUBMITTER: Andrews R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1876258 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature