Scrib is required for epithelial cell identity and prevents epithelial to mesenchymal transition in the mouse.

ABSTRACT: The integrity and function of epithelial tissues depend on the establishment and maintenance of defining characteristics of epithelial cells, cell-cell adhesion and cell polarity. Disruption of these characteristics can lead to the loss of epithelial identity through a process called epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), which can contribute to pathological conditions such as tissue fibrosis and invasive cancer. In invertebrates, the epithelial polarity gene scrib plays a critical role in establishing and maintaining cell adhesion and polarity. In this study we asked if the mouse homolog, Scrib, is required for establishment and/or maintenance of epithelial identity in vivo. To do so, we conditionally deleted Scrib in the head ectoderm tissue that gives rise to both the ocular lens a

SUBMITTER: Yamben IF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3853123 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature