aPKC is a key polarity molecule coordinating the function of three distinct cell polarities during collective migration

• Published in: Development (Cambridge)
• Main Authors: Wang, Heng, Qiu, Zhiqian, Xu, Zehao, Chen, Samuel John, Luo, Jun, Wang, Xiaobo, Chen, Jiong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2018
• ISSN: 0950-1991; 1477-9129
• DOI: 10.1242/dev.158444

Apical-basal polarity is a hallmark of epithelia and it needs to be remodeled when epithelial cells undergo morphogenetic cell movements. Here, we use border cells in Drosophila ovary to address how the apical-basal polarity is remodeled and turned into front-back, apical-basal and inside-outside polarities, during collective migration. We find that Crumbs (Crb) complex is required for the generation of the three distinct but inter-connected cell polarities of border cells. Specifically, Crb complex, together with Par complex and the endocytic recycling machinery, ensures a strict distribution control of two distinct populations of aPKC at the inside apical junction and near the outside lateral membrane respectively. Interestingly, aPKC distributed near the outside lateral membrane interacts with Tiam1/Sif and promotes the Rac-induced protrusions, whereas alteration of the aPKC distribution pattern changed protrusion formation pattern, leading to disruption of all three polarities. Therefore, we demonstrate that aPKC, spatially controlled by Crb complex, is a key polarity molecule coordinating the generation of three distinct but inter-connected cell polarities during collective migration.