Cooperative regulation of AJM-1 controls junctional integrity in Caenorhabditis elegans epithelia

Citation
M. Koppen et al., Cooperative regulation of AJM-1 controls junctional integrity in Caenorhabditis elegans epithelia, NAT CELL BI, 3(11), 2001, pp. 983-991
Citations number
44
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Cell & Developmental Biology
Journal title
NATURE CELL BIOLOGY
ISSN journal
1465-7392 → ACNP
Volume
3
Issue
11
Year of publication
2001
Pages
983 - 991
Database
ISI
SICI code
1465-7392(200111)3:11<983:CROACJ>2.0.ZU;2-Z
Abstract
The function of epithelial cell sheets depends on the integrity of speciali zed cell-cell junctions that connect neighbouring cells. We have characteri zed the novel coiled-coil protein AJM-1, which localizes to an apical junct ional domain of Caenorhabditis elegans epithelia basal to the HMR-HMP (cadh erin-catenin) complex. In the absence of AJM-1, the integrity of this domai n is compromised. Proper AJM-1 localization requires LET-413 and DLG-1, hom ologues of the Drosophila tumour suppressors Scribble and Discs large, resp ectively. DLG-1 physically interacts with AJM-1 and is required for its nor mal apical distribution, and LET-413 mediates the rapid accumulation of bot h DLG-1 and AJM-1 in the apical domain. In the absence of both dlg-1 and le t-413 function AJM-1 is almost completely lost from apical junctions in emb ryos, whereas HMP-1 (alpha -catenin) localization is only mildly affected. We conclude that LET-413 and DLG-1 cooperatively control AJM-1 localization and that AJM-1 controls the integrity of a distinct apical junctional doma in in C. elegans.