Structure, Regulation, and Functional Diversity of Microvilli on the Apical Domain of Epithelial Cells

• Published in: Annual review of cell and developmental biology Vol. 31; no. 1; pp. 593 - 621
• Main Authors: Sauvanet, Cécile, Wayt, Jessica, Pelaseyed, Thaher, Bretscher, Anthony
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Annual Reviews 13.11.2015
• Subjects: Actin Cytoskeleton - metabolism; Actin Cytoskeleton - physiology; Actins - metabolism; Animals; Epithelial Cells - physiology; ERM proteins; ezrin; Humans; Membranes - metabolism; Membranes - physiology; Microvilli - physiology; polarity; scaffolding proteins; ezrin; scaffolding proteins; ERM proteins; polarity
• ISSN: 1081-0706; 1530-8995
• DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cellbio-100814-125234

Microvilli are actin-based structures found on the apical aspect of many epithelial cells. In this review, we discuss different types of microvilli, as well as comparisons with actin-based sensory stereocilia and filopodia. Much is known about the actin-bundling proteins of these structures; we summarize recent studies that focus on the components of the microvillar membrane. We pay special attention to mechanisms of membrane microfilament attachment by the ezrin radixin moesin family and regulation of this protein family. We also discuss the NHERF family of scaffolding proteins that are found in microvilli and their role in microvilli regulation. Microvilli on cultured cells are not static structures, and their dynamics and those of their components are discussed. Finally, we mention diseases related to microvilli and outline questions that our current knowledge will allow the field to address in the near future.