Cdc42 coordinates proliferation, polarity, migration, and differentiation of small intestinal epithelial cells in mice.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

Cdc42 is a Rho GTPase that regulates diverse cellular functions, including proliferation, differentiation, migration, and polarity. In the intestinal epithelium, a balance among these events maintains homeostasis. We used genetic techniques to investigate the role of Cdc42 in intestinal homeostasis and its mechanisms.

Methods

We disrupted Cdc42 specifically in intestinal epithelial cells by creating Cdc42flox/flox-villin-Cre+ and Cdc42flox/flox-Rosa26-CreER+ mice. We collected intestinal and other tissues, and analyzed their cellular, molecular, morphologic, and physiologic features, compared with the respective heterozygous mice.

Results

In all mutant mice studied, the intestinal epithelium had gross hyperplasia, crypt enlargement, microvilli inclus

SUBMITTER: Melendez J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3876942 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature