Polarization of the endomembrane system is an early event in fucoid zygote development.
BACKGROUND
Fucoid zygotes are excellent experimental organisms for investigating mechanisms that establish cell polarity and determine the site of tip growth. A common feature of polarity establishment is targeting endocytosis and exocytosis (secretion) to localized cortical domains. We have investigated the spatiotemporal development of endomembrane asymmetry in photopolarizing zygotes, and examined the underlying cellular physiology.


RESULTS
The vital dye FM4-64 was used to visualize endomembranes. The endomembrane system preferentially accumulated at the rhizoid (growth) pole within 4 h of fertilization. The polarized endomembrane array was initially labile and reoriented when the developmental axis changed direction in response to changing light cues. Pharmacological studies indicated that vesicle trafficking, actin and microtubules were needed to maintain endomembrane polarity. In addition, endocytosis required a functional cortical actin cytoskeleton.


CONCLUSIONS
Endomembrane polarization is an early event in polarity establishment, beginning very soon after photolocalization of cortical actin to the presumptive rhizoid site. Targeting of endocytosis and secretion to the rhizoid cortex contributes to membrane asymmetry. We suggest that microtubule-actin interactions, possibly involving microtubule capture and stabilization at actin-rich sites in the rhizoid, may organize the endomembrane array.
Hadley
Rhett
R
Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-0840, USA. rhadley@learnlink.emory.edu
Hable
Whitney E
WE
Kropf
Darryl L
DL
D016764:Cell Polarity / Q000502:physiology*; D003599:Cytoskeleton; D004705:Endocytosis; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000502:physiology*; D008027:Light; D000459:Phaeophyceae / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development; D015053:Zygote / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development