Abstract
BackgroundThe differentiation of an extracellular matrix (ECM) at the apical side of epithelial cells implies massive polarised secretion and membrane trafficking. An epithelial cell is hence engaged in coordinating secretion and cell polarity for a correct and efficient ECM formation.Principal FindingsWe are studying the molecular mechanisms that Drosophila tracheal and epidermal cells deploy to form their specific apical ECM during differentiation. In this work we demonstrate that the two genetically identified factors haunted and ghost are essential for polarity maintenance, membrane topology as well as for secretion of the tracheal luminal matrix and the cuticle. We show that they code for the Drosophila COPII vesicle-coating components Sec23 and Sec24, respectively, that organise vesicle transport from the ER to the Golgi apparatus.ConclusionTaken together, epithelial differentiation during Drosophila embryogenesis is a concerted action of ECM formation, plasma membrane remodelling and maintenance of cell polarity that all three rely mainly, if not absolutely, on the canonical secretory pathway from the ER over the Golgi apparatus to the plasma membrane. Our results indicate that COPII vesicles constitute a central hub for these processes.
Highlights
Taken together, epithelial differentiation during Drosophila embryogenesis is a concerted action of extracellular matrix (ECM) formation, plasma membrane remodelling and maintenance of cell polarity that all three rely mainly, if not absolutely, on the canonical secretory pathway from the ER over the Golgi apparatus to the plasma membrane
Our results indicate that complex II (COPII) vesicles constitute a central hub for these processes
Epithelia produce apical extracellular matrices that are essential for their function as barriers
Summary
Epithelia produce apical extracellular matrices (aECM) that are essential for their function as barriers For this purpose, epithelial aECMs often adopt a tissue-specific and elaborate architecture. Along with deposition of aECM components into the extracellular space, the apical plasma membrane has to be equipped with factors that mediate its function during aECM differentiation. Both processes conceivably require concerted and polarised secretion and membrane trafficking. Secretion and membrane trafficking engage the basic secretory route running from the ER via coatamer protein complex II (COPII) coated vesicles to the Golgi apparatus, and from the Golgi apparatus via adaptor protein (AP)-clathrincoated vesicles to the plasma membrane. An epithelial cell is engaged in coordinating secretion and cell polarity for a correct and efficient ECM formation
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