Basal condensation of Numb and Pon complex via phase transition during Drosophila neuroblast asymmetric division.

ABSTRACT: Uneven distribution and local concentration of protein complexes on distinct membrane cortices is a fundamental property in numerous biological processes, including Drosophila neuroblast (NB) asymmetric cell divisions and cell polarity in general. In NBs, the cell fate determinant Numb forms a basal crescent together with Pon and is segregated into the basal daughter cell to initiate its differentiation. Here we discover that Numb PTB domain, using two distinct binding surfaces, recognizes repeating motifs within Pon in a previously unrecognized mode. The multivalent Numb-Pon interaction leads to high binding specificity and liquid-liquid phase separation of the complex. Perturbations of the Numb/Pon complex phase transition impair the basal localization of Numb and its subsequent suppress

SUBMITTER: Shan Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5821850 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature