A junctional problem of apical proportions: epithelial tube-size control by septate junctions in the Drosophila tracheal system

The size of epithelial tubes is critical for the function of organs such as the lung, kidney and vascular system. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating tube size are largely unknown. Recent work in the Drosophila tracheal system reveals that septate junctions play a previously unsuspected rol...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inCurrent opinion in cell biology Vol. 16; no. 5; pp. 493 - 499
Main Authors Wu, Victoria M, Beitel, Greg J
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2004
Subjects
Animals
Cell Polarity - genetics
Cell Polarity - physiology
Cell Shape - physiology
Drosophila - physiology
Epithelial Cells - physiology
Extracellular Matrix - physiology
Intercellular Junctions - physiology
Models, Biological
Trachea - cytology
DaPKC
Nrg
Gli
Cor
EM
PKD
ATPα
ECM
Lac
Lgl
Nrx
Mega
SJ
Sinu
Scrib
Dlg
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Summary:The size of epithelial tubes is critical for the function of organs such as the lung, kidney and vascular system. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating tube size are largely unknown. Recent work in the Drosophila tracheal system reveals that septate junctions play a previously unsuspected role in tube-size control. Surprisingly, this tube-size function is distinct from the established diffusion barrier function of septate junctions, and involves regulation of cell shape rather than cell number. Possible tube-size functions of septate junctions include patterning of the apical extracellular matrix and regulation of conserved cell polarity genes such as Scribble and Discs Large.
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ISSN:0955-0674
1879-0410
DOI:10.1016/j.ceb.2004.07.008