Intracellular polarity protein PAR-1 regulates extracellular laminin assembly by regulating the dystroglycan complex

Genes Cells. 2009 Jul;14(7):835-50. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2443.2009.01315.x. Epub 2009 Jun 22.

Abstract

Cell polarity depends on extrinsic spatial cues and intrinsic polarity proteins including PAR-aPKC proteins. In mammalian epithelial cells, cell-cell contacts provide spatial cues that activate the aPKC-PAR-3-PAR-6 complex to establish the landmark of the initial cellular asymmetry. PAR-1, a downstream target of the aPKC-PAR-3-PAR-6 complex, mediates further development of the apical and basolateral membrane domains. However, the relationships between the PAR-aPKC proteins and other extrinsic spatial cues provided by the extracellular matrix (ECM) remain unclear. Here, we show that PAR-1 colocalizes with laminin receptors and is required for the assembly of extracellular laminin on the basal surface of epithelial cells. Furthermore, PAR-1 regulates the basolateral localization of the dystroglycan (DG) complex, one of the laminin receptors essential for basement membrane formation. We also show that PAR-1 interacts with the DG complex and is required for the formation of a functional DG complex. These results reveal the presence of a novel inside-out pathway in which an intracellular polarity protein regulates the ECM organization required for epithelial cell polarity and tissue morphogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cell Polarity / physiology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dogs
  • Dystroglycans / metabolism*
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
  • Laminin / physiology*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Laminin / metabolism
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Laminin
  • Receptors, Laminin
  • Dystroglycans
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases