Mammalian Fat and Dachsous cadherins regulate apical membrane organization in the embryonic cerebral cortex.
Compartmentalization of the plasma membrane in a cell is fundamental for its proper functions. In this study, we present evidence that mammalian Fat4 and Dachsous1 cadherins regulate the apical plasma membrane organization in the embryonic cerebral cortex. In neural progenitor cells of the cortex, Fat4 and Dachsous1 were concentrated together in a cell-cell contact area positioned more apically than the adherens junction (AJ). These molecules interacted in a heterophilic fashion, affecting their respective protein levels. We further found that Fat4 associated and colocalized with the Pals1 complex. Ultrastructurally, the apical junctions of the progenitor cells comprised the AJ and a stretch of plasma membrane apposition extending apically from the AJ, which positionally corresponded to the Fat4-Dachsous1-positive zone. Depletion of Fat4 or Pals1 abolished this membrane apposition. These results highlight the importance of the Fat4-Dachsous1-Pals1 complex in organizing the apical membrane architecture of neural progenitor cells.
Ishiuchi
Takashi
T
RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan.
Misaki
Kazuyo
K
Yonemura
Shigenobu
S
Takeichi
Masatoshi
M
Tanoue
Takuji
T
D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology
D015820:Cadherins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; C506554:Dchs1 protein, mouse; C506555:Fat4 protein, mouse; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C491750:Mpdz protein, mouse; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering