title: Elaborating polarity: PAR proteins and the cytoskeleton.
abstract: Cell polarity is essential for cells to divide asymmetrically, form spatially restricted subcellular structures and participate in three-dimensional multicellular organization. PAR proteins are conserved polarity regulators that function by generating cortical landmarks that establish dynamic asymmetries in the distribution of effector proteins. Here, we review recent findings on the role of PAR proteins in cell polarity in C. elegans and Drosophila, and emphasize the links that exist between PAR networks and cytoskeletal proteins that both regulate PAR protein localization and act as downstream effectors to elaborate polarity within the cell.
authors.affiliation: Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine at the Skirball Institute for Biomolecular Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, 540 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA. jeremy.nance@med.nyu.edu
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nance
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Zallen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans; D016764:Cell Polarity; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000502:physiology*; D004330:Drosophila; D044462:Receptors, Proteinase-Activated / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D044462:Receptors, Proteinase-Activated