Two distinct integrin-mediated mechanisms contribute to apical lumen formation in epithelial cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Formation of apical compartments underlies the morphogenesis of most epithelial organs during development. The extracellular matrix (ECM), particularly the basement membrane (BM), plays an important role in orienting the apico-basal polarity and thereby the positioning of apical lumens. Integrins have been recognized as essential mediators of matrix-derived polarity signals. The importance of β1-integrins in epithelial polarization is well established but the significance of the accompanying α-subunits have not been analyzed in detail.

Principal findings

Here we demonstrate that two distinct integrin-dependent pathways regulate formation of apical lumens to ensure robust apical membrane biogenesis under different microenvironmental conditions; 1) α2β1- and α6β4-in

SUBMITTER: Myllymaki SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3089628 | biostudies-literature | 2011 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature