Mammalian Fat and Dachsous cadherins regulate apical membrane organization in the embryonic cerebral cortex

J Cell Biol. 2009 Jun 15;185(6):959-67. doi: 10.1083/jcb.200811030. Epub 2009 Jun 8.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cadherins / genetics
  • Cadherins / metabolism*
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Cell Membrane / ultrastructure
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cerebral Cortex* / cytology
  • Cerebral Cortex* / embryology
  • Drosophila melanogaster / cytology
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / physiology
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Stem Cells / cytology
  • Stem Cells / physiology

Substances

  • Cadherins
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Dchs1 protein, mouse
  • Fat4 protein, mouse
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Mpdz protein, mouse
  • RNA, Small Interfering