[LAP proteins: new gatekeepers of epithelial homeostasis].
Cell proliferation and cell differentiation are balanced processes required for the correct development and maintenance of tissues, including epithelial tissues. Disruption of this balance by downregulation or loss of function of gatekeepers of epithelial homeostasis may unleash tumor suppressing activities leading ultimately to tumorigenesis. Among the newcoming actors involved in epithelial cell polarity, recent data shed light on the crucial role played by the LAP (LRR And PDZ) protein family. LAP proteins assemble receptors, cytoplasmic adaptors and enzymes in multimolecular networks important for the different steps of epithelial differentiation : adhesion, building of tight junctions and trafficking of proteins along the secretory pathway. Furthermore, genetic studies in invertebrates and vertebrates have installed LAP proteins not only as crucial determinants for epithelial integrity but also as key regulators of cell proliferation and embryonic development.
Jaulin-Bastard
Fanny
F
Laboratoire de Pharmacologie moléculaire, UMR 599 Inserm-Institut Paoli-Calmettes, 27, boulevard Leï Roure, 13009 Marseille, France.
Nola
Sébastien
S
Borg
Jean-Paul
JP
D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D017630:Connexins / Q000502:physiology; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006706:Homeostasis; D000090263:Leucine-Rich Repeat Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D011506:Proteins / Q000502:physiology*
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D017630:Connexins; D000090263:Leucine-Rich Repeat Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011506:Proteins; C033652:postsynaptic density proteins