Biology subjects

Thompson, B. J.

Publications and source records attributed to Thompson, B. J..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2019

A fence function for adherens junctions in epithelial cell polarity

Adherens junctions are a defining feature of all epithelial cells, providing cell-cell adhesion and being essential for cell and tissue morphology. In Drosophila, adherens junctions are concentrated between the apical and basolateral plasma membrane domains, but whether they contribute to apical-basal polarisation itself has been unclear. Here we show that, in the absence of adherens junctions, apical-basal polarity determinants can still segregate into complementary domains, but control of apical versus basolateral domain size is lost. Manipulation of the level of apical or basal polarity determinants in experiments and in computer simulations suggests that junctions provide a moveable diffusion barrier, or fence, that restricts the diffusion of polarity determinants to enable precise domain size control. Movement of adherens junctions in response to mechanical forces during morphogenetic change thus enables spontaneous adjustment of apical versus basolateral domain size as an emergent property of the polarising system.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2019

Mask family proteins ANKHD1 and ANKRD17 regulate YAP nuclear import, stability and phase separation.

The Mask family of multiple ankyrin repeat and KH domain proteins were discovered in Drosophila to promote the activity of the transcriptional coactivator Yorkie (Yki), the sole fly homolog of mammalian YAP (YAP1) and TAZ (WWTR1). The molecular function of Mask, or its mammalian homologs Mask1 (ANKHD1) and Mask2 (ANKRD17), remains unclear. Mask family proteins contain two Ankyrin repeat domains that bind Yki/YAP as well as a conserved nuclear localisation sequence (NLS) and nuclear export sequence (NES), suggesting a role in nucleo-cytoplasmic transport. Here we show that Mask acts to promote nuclear import of Yki, and that addition of an ectopic NLS to Yki is sufficient to bypass the requirement for Mask in Yki-driven tissue growth. Mammalian Mask1/2 proteins also promote nuclear import of YAP, as well as stabilising YAP and driving colloidal phase separation into large liquid droplets. Mask1/2 and YAP normally colocalise in a granular fashion in both nucleus and cytoplasm, and are co-regulated during mechanotransduction. Our results suggest that Mask family proteins promote YAP nuclear import and phase separation to regulate YAP stability and transcriptional activity.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2019

Apical transport of Crumbs maintains epithelial cell polarity

Crumbs (Crb in Drosophila; CRB1-3 in mammals) is a transmembrane determinant of epithelial cell polarity and a regulator of Hippo signalling. Crb is normally localized to apical cell-cell contacts, just above adherens junctions, but how apical trafficking of Crb is regulated in epithelial cells remains unclear. We use the Drosophila follicular epithelium to demonstrate that polarized trafficking of Crb is mediated by transport along microtubules by the motor protein Dynein and along actin filaments by the motor protein Myosin-V (MyoV). Blocking transport of Crb-containing vesicles by Dynein or MyoV leads to accumulation of Crb within Rab11 endosomes, rather than apical delivery. The final steps of Crb delivery and stabilisation at the plasma membrane requires the exocyst complex and three apical FERM domain proteins - Merlin, Moesin and Expanded - whose simultaneous loss disrupts apical localization of Crb. Accordingly, a knock-in deletion of the Crb FERM-binding motif (FBM) also impairs apical localization. Finally, overexpression of Crb challenges this system, creating a sensitized background to identify components involved in cytoskeletal polarization, apical membrane trafficking and stabilisation of Crb at the apical domain.

developmental biology↗