The apicobasal polarity kinase aPKC functions as a nuclear determinant and regulates cell proliferation and fate during Xenopus primary neurogenesis.

ABSTRACT: During neurogenesis in Xenopus, apicobasally polarised superficial and non-polar deep cells take up different fates: deep cells become primary neurons while superficial cells stay as progenitors. It is not known whether the proteins that affect cell polarity also affect cell fate and how membrane polarity information may be transmitted to the nucleus. Here, we examine the role of the polarity components, apically enriched aPKC and basolateral Lgl2, in primary neurogenesis. We report that a membrane-tethered form of aPKC (aPKC-CAAX) suppresses primary neurogenesis and promotes cell proliferation. Unexpectedly, both endogenous aPKC and aPKC-CAAX show some nuclear localisation. A constitutively active aPKC fused to a nuclear localisation signal has the same phenotypic effect as aPKC-CAAX in t

SUBMITTER: Sabherwal N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2730405 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature