WAVE2 regulates epithelial morphology and cadherin isoform switching through regulation of Twist and Abl.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Epithelial morphogenesis is a dynamic process that involves coordination of signaling and actin cytoskeletal rearrangements.

Principal findings

We analyzed the contribution of the branched actin regulator WAVE2 in the development of 3-dimensional (3D) epithelial structures. WAVE2-knockdown (WAVE2-KD) cells formed large multi-lobular acini that continued to proliferate at an abnormally late stage compared to control acini. Immunostaining of the cell-cell junctions of WAVE2-KD acini revealed weak and heterogeneous E-cadherin staining despite little change in actin filament localization to the same junctions. Analysis of cadherin expression demonstrated a decrease in E-cadherin and an increase in N-cadherin protein and mRNA abundance in total cell lysates. In additio

SUBMITTER: Bryce NS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3654908 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature