Junctions as organizing centers in epithelial cells? A fly perspective.
Junctions isolate the apical from the basal-lateral surfaces and are required for the polarization of epithelial cells. Genetics of junction formation in Drosophila has identified numerous transmembrane and scaffolding proteins that assemble in membrane-associated complexes. This review focuses on recent findings suggesting that junctions are autonomous organizing centers for the establishment and maintenance of apical-basal polarity in epithelial cells as well as other polarized processes such as the orientation of the division apparatus.
Lecuit
Thomas
T
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Molecular Biology Department, Washington Road, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA. lecuit@ibdm.Univ-mrs.fr
Wieschaus
Eric
E
D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002455:Cell Division; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D008938:Mitosis; D008954:Models, Biological