scholarly journals The vertebrate epithelial apical junctional complex: Dynamic interplay between Rho GTPase activity and cell polarization processes

2020 ◽  
Vol 1862 (10) ◽  
pp. 183398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Covadonga Díaz-Díaz ◽  
Gabriel Baonza ◽  
Fernando Martín-Belmonte
Keyword(s):  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Cell Polarization ◽  
Junctional Complex ◽  
Gtpase Activity ◽  
Complex Dynamic ◽  
Apical Junctional Complex ◽  
Dynamic Interplay

scholarly journals P023 Identification of regulated mechanistic pathways and genes to protect intestinal barrier injury by larazotide acetate in an IBD microenvironment

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S142-S143
Author(s):  
Y Jin ◽  
J Madan ◽  
K Radha B ◽  
B Anthony
Keyword(s):  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Differentially Expressed ◽  
Mucosal Barrier ◽  
Signalling Pathways ◽  
Junctional Complex ◽  
Pathway Enrichment Analysis ◽  
Regulatory Pathways ◽  
Apical Junctional Complex ◽  
Anoxic Injury ◽  
In Cells

Abstract Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is due to a combination of factors, including genetics, mucosal barrier dysfunction and dysregulated immune responses. Recently, it has been appreciated that IBD is associated with profound tissue anoxia. Tight junctions (TJs) located at the apical lateral region of adjacent intestinal epithelial cells are largely responsible for regulating the intestinal mucosal barrier. Larazotide acetate (LA, Innovate Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., Raleigh, NC) is a synthetic, eight amino acid peptide that is known to act as a TJ regulator capable of closing ‘leaky’ interepithelial junctions. Presently, LA is being studied in Phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of celiac disease. Based on prior work in our lab, we hypothesised that LA would protect the TJ barrier in an anoxic injury IBD model associated with upregulation of TJ-associated signalling pathways. Methods C2BBe1 (Caco-2 brush border expressing) monolayers were treated apically with LA and were subjected to anoxia for 2 h followed by reoxygenation with 21% O2. Barrier function was assessed by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) during anoxic injury and recovery. TJ proteins and cytoskeleton protein F-actin were assessed by western blotting and immunofluorescence microscopy. Then, next-generation RNA sequencing was employed to assess cellular regulatory pathways. Results Pre-treatment of anoxic injured C2BBe1cells with 10 mM LA significantly increased TEER as compared with untreated anoxic injured cells. The TJ protein occludin and ZO-1 were disrupted in anoxia-injured monolayer. Alternatively, treatment with 10 mM LA prevented disruption of TJ proteins during anoxic injury. Gene ontology annotation revealed a number of critical signalling pathways that were differentially expressed in cells treated with LA, including biological processes involved in establishment of cell polarity, molecular functions that regulate junctional structures, and cellular components associated with epithelial repair (cell leading edge, ruffle and apical junctional complex). Furthermore, Ras/Rho GTPase binding and protein serine/threonine kinase activity were differentially expressed in cells treated with LA. Additionally, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis revealed enrichment of target genes for ‘cell cycle,’ ‘adherens junction’ and ‘Wnt signalling pathways’. Conclusion The results of the present study provide novel insights into the molecular mechanism of action of LA on the protection of TJ integrity in anoxic injury, an IBD microenvironment and the potential for a more broad use in important digestive diseases such as IBD.

scholarly journals Rho/Rho-associated Kinase-II Signaling Mediates Disassembly of Epithelial Apical Junctions

2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 3429-3439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanislav N. Samarin ◽  
Andrei I. Ivanov ◽  
Gilles Flatau ◽  
Charles A. Parkos ◽  
Asma Nusrat
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Junctional Complex ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Calcium Depletion ◽  
Pharmacological Inhibition ◽  
Apical Junctional Complex ◽  
Apical Junctions

Apical junctional complex (AJC) plays a vital role in regulation of epithelial barrier function. Disassembly of the AJC is observed in diverse physiological and pathological states; however, mechanisms governing this process are not well understood. We previously reported that the AJC disassembly is driven by the formation of apical contractile acto-myosin rings. In the present study, we analyzed the signaling pathways regulating acto-myosin–dependent disruption of AJC by using a model of extracellular calcium depletion. Pharmacological inhibition analysis revealed a critical role of Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) in AJC disassembly in calcium-depleted epithelial cells. Furthermore, small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of ROCK-II, but not ROCK-I, attenuated the disruption of the AJC. Interestingly, AJC disassembly was not dependent on myosin light chain kinase and myosin phosphatase. Calcium depletion resulted in activation of Rho GTPase and transient colocalization of Rho with internalized AJC proteins. Pharmacological inhibition of Rho prevented AJC disassembly. Additionally, Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF)-H1 translocated to contractile F-actin rings after calcium depletion, and siRNA-mediated depletion of GEF-H1 inhibited AJC disassembly. Thus, our findings demonstrate a central role of the GEF-H1/Rho/ROCK-II signaling pathway in the disassembly of AJC in epithelial cells.

scholarly journals The keratin-binding protein Albatross regulates polarization of epithelial cells

2008 ◽  
Vol 183 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masahiko Sugimoto ◽  
Akihito Inoko ◽  
Takashi Shiromizu ◽  
Masanori Nakayama ◽  
Peng Zou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Cell Polarization ◽  
Junctional Complex ◽  
Apical Surface ◽  
Apical Side ◽  
Apical Junctional Complex ◽  
Keratin Filaments ◽  
Keratin Filament ◽  
Filament Network

The keratin intermediate filament network is abundant in epithelial cells, but its function in the establishment and maintenance of cell polarity is unclear. Here, we show that Albatross complexes with Par3 to regulate formation of the apical junctional complex (AJC) and maintain lateral membrane identity. In nonpolarized epithelial cells, Albatross localizes with keratin filaments, whereas in polarized epithelial cells, Albatross is primarily localized in the vicinity of the AJC. Knockdown of Albatross in polarized cells causes a disappearance of key components of the AJC at cell–cell borders and keratin filament reorganization. Lateral proteins E-cadherin and desmoglein 2 were mislocalized even on the apical side. Although Albatross promotes localization of Par3 to the AJC, Par3 and ezrin are still retained at the apical surface in Albatross knockdown cells, which retain intact microvilli. Analysis of keratin-deficient epithelial cells revealed that keratins are required to stabilize the Albatross protein, thus promoting the formation of AJC. We propose that keratins and the keratin-binding protein Albatross are important for epithelial cell polarization.

scholarly journals Differential Roles for Actin Polymerization and a Myosin II Motor in Assembly of the Epithelial Apical Junctional Complex

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 2636-2650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrei I. Ivanov ◽  
Dirk Hunt ◽  
Markus Utech ◽  
Asma Nusrat ◽  
Charles A. Parkos
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Myosin Ii ◽  
Adherens Junction ◽  
Cell Polarization ◽  
Junctional Complex ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Actin Reorganization ◽  
Apical Junctional Complex ◽  
Syndrome Protein

Differentiation and polarization of epithelial cells depends on the formation of the apical junctional complex (AJC), which is composed of the tight junction (TJ) and the adherens junction (AJ). In this study, we investigated mechanisms of actin reorganization that drive the establishment of AJC. Using a calcium switch model, we observed that formation of the AJC in T84 intestinal epithelial cells began with the assembly of adherens-like junctions followed by the formation of TJs. Early adherens-like junctions and TJs readily incorporated exogenous G-actin and were disassembled by latrunculin B, thus indicating dependence on continuous actin polymerization. Both adherens-like junctions and TJs were enriched in actin-related protein 3 and neuronal Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP), and their assembly was prevented by the N-WASP inhibitor wiskostatin. In contrast, the formation of TJs, but not adherens-like junctions, was accompanied by recruitment of myosin II and was blocked by inhibition of myosin II with blebbistatin. In addition, blebbistatin inhibited the ability of epithelial cells to establish a columnar phenotype with proper apico-basal polarity. These findings suggest that actin polymerization directly mediates recruitment and maintenance of AJ/TJ proteins at intercellular contacts, whereas myosin II regulates cell polarization and correct positioning of the AJC within the plasma membrane.

scholarly journals Reciprocal Association between the Apical Junctional Complex and AMPK: A Promising Therapeutic Target for Epithelial/Endothelial Barrier Function?

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (23) ◽  
pp. 6012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuto Tsukita ◽  
Tomoki Yano ◽  
Atsushi Tamura ◽  
Sachiko Tsukita
Keyword(s):  
Barrier Function ◽  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Cell Polarization ◽  
Cell Junctions ◽  
Endothelial Barrier ◽  
Junctional Complex ◽  
Endothelial Barrier Function ◽  
Apical Junctional Complex

Epithelial/endothelial cells adhere to each other via cell–cell junctions including tight junctions (TJs) and adherens junctions (AJs). TJs and AJs are spatiotemporally and functionally integrated, and are thus often collectively defined as apical junctional complexes (AJCs), regulating a number of spatiotemporal events including paracellular barrier, selective permeability, apicobasal cell polarity, mechano-sensing, intracellular signaling cascades, and epithelial morphogenesis. Over the past 15 years, it has been acknowledged that adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a well-known central regulator of energy metabolism, has a reciprocal association with AJCs. Here, we review the current knowledge of this association and show the following evidences: (1) as an upstream regulator, AJs activate the liver kinase B1 (LKB1)–AMPK axis particularly in response to applied junctional tension, and (2) TJ function and apicobasal cell polarization are downstream targets of AMPK and are promoted by AMPK activation. Although molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena have not yet been completely elucidated, identifications of novel AMPK effectors in AJCs and AMPK-driven epithelial transcription factors have enhanced our knowledge. More intensive studies along this line would eventually lead to the development of AMPK-based therapies, enabling us to manipulate epithelial/endothelial barrier function.

scholarly journals Pin1 Regulates IL-5 Induced Eosinophil Polarization and Migration

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 211
Author(s):  
Zhong-Jian Shen ◽  
Jie Hu ◽  
Melissa A. O’Neal ◽  
James S. Malter
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Shape Change ◽  
Cell Polarization ◽  
Gtpase Activity ◽  
Prolyl Isomerase ◽  
Directional Migration ◽  
Migration Polarization ◽  
And Migration

Eosinophils become polarized in response to cytokines such IL-5 or eotaxin prior to directional migration. Polarization is preceded by F-actin assembly, but the mechanisms that regulate these events and how the shape change influences cell migration from the peripheral blood into the lung remain unclear. In this study, we show that the prolyl isomerase, Pin1, is required for IL-5-induced Eos polarization and migration. Co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence analysis revealed that Pin1 directly interacts with members of Rho GTPase family. Mouse eosinophils lacking Pin1 or human cells treated with Pin1 inhibitors showed significantly reduced IL-5-induced GTPase activity and cofilin phosphorylation, resulting in reduced F-actin polymerization, cell polarization, and directional migration to chemokines. Our result suggests that Pin1 regulates cytoskeletal re-organization, eosinophil morphology, and cell migration through the modulation of Rho GTPase activity. Targeting Pin1 along with GTPases could provide a new approach to reduce pulmonary Eos accumulation during asthmatic exacerbations.

GENETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY TO IBD OPERATES VIA CONTROL OF APICAL JUNCTIONAL COMPLEXES

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S30-S30
Author(s):  
Isabelle Hébert-Milette ◽  
Chloé Lévesque ◽  
Guy Charron ◽  
John Rioux
Keyword(s):  
Tight Junction ◽  
Tight Junctions ◽  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Protein Localization ◽  
Junctional Complex ◽  
Epithelial Permeability ◽  
3D Cultures ◽  
Apical Junctional Complex ◽  
Junction Protein ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction Intestinal permeability is increased in unaffected 1st degree relatives of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and is considered a risk factor for the development of IBD, likely increasing the interactions between intestinal microorganisms and the immune system. We recently reported that C1orf106, a gene located within a genomic region associated with IBD, regulates epithelial permeability. We further demonstrated that a rare coding variant within C1orf106 (p.Y333F) decreases protein stability and that lower levels of C1orf106 protein leads altered stability of adherens junctions (AJ) and to an increase in epithelial permeability. Hypothesis In addition to altering AJ, we believe that C1orf106 is also involved in the regulation of tight junction (TJ) formation, which also impacts epithelial permeability. Objectives The objectives of the project are to (a) validate the impact of C1orf106 on tight junctions and (b) verify the impact of C1orf106 IBD-associated variants on intestinal barrier integrity. Results We observed that knocking down the expression of C1orf106 in Caco-2 cells leads to a number of phenotypes in human epithelial monolayer (2D) and spheroid (3D) cultures that are associated with alterations in TJs. Specifically, when studying the dynamic reformation of TJ in 2D cultures after transient withdrawal of calcium, which is required for TJ stability, we observed that lower levels of C1orf106 resulted in (1) decreased recovery of barrier function as measured by transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER); (2) an alteration of tight junction protein localization; and (3) thickening of the circumferential actin belt. Moreover, in 3D cultures, we observed an altered spheroid formation associated with impaired epithelial polarization. In addition, our preliminary studies of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived epithelial cultures support that Y333F heterozygotes also have altered structure and function of their tight junctions. Conclusion Our observations indicate an important role of C1orf106 in apical junctional complex (AJC) formation likely mediated by a regulation of the circumferential actin belt. This can affect other functions of AJC, like the establishment of cell polarity. AJC formation is important for epithelial repair after an injury and its dysregulation impairs the formation of an impermeable epithelial barrier, which likely facilitates the passage of microorganisms and the induction and maintenance of intestinal inflammation.

scholarly journals DAAM1 stabilizes epithelial junctions by restraining WAVE complex–dependent lateral membrane motility

2016 ◽  
Vol 215 (4) ◽  
pp. 559-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamako Nishimura ◽  
Shoko Ito ◽  
Hiroko Saito ◽  
Sylvain Hiver ◽  
Kenta Shigetomi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Junctional Complex ◽  
Lateral Membrane ◽  
Apical Junctional Complex ◽  
Cell Layers ◽  
Epithelial Junctions ◽  
Membrane Contacts ◽  
Epithelial Layers ◽  
Actin Cables ◽  
Wave Complex

Epithelial junctions comprise two subdomains, the apical junctional complex (AJC) and the adjacent lateral membrane contacts (LCs), that span the majority of the junction. The AJC is lined with circumferential actin cables, whereas the LCs are associated with less-organized actin filaments whose roles are elusive. We found that DAAM1, a formin family actin regulator, accumulated at the LCs, and its depletion caused dispersion of actin filaments at these sites while hardly affecting circumferential actin cables. DAAM1 loss enhanced the motility of LC-forming membranes, leading to their invasion of neighboring cell layers, as well as disruption of polarized epithelial layers. We found that components of the WAVE complex and its downstream targets were required for the elevation of LC motility caused by DAAM1 loss. These findings suggest that the LC membranes are motile by nature because of the WAVE complex, but DAAM1-mediated actin regulation normally restrains this motility, thereby stabilizing epithelial architecture, and that DAAM1 loss evokes invasive abilities of epithelial cells.

scholarly journals Post-Translational Modification and Subcellular Compartmentalization: Emerging Concepts on the Regulation and Physiopathological Relevance of RhoGTPases

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1990
Author(s):  
Inmaculada Navarro-Lérida ◽  
Miguel Sánchez-Álvarez ◽  
Miguel Ángel del Pozo
Keyword(s):  
Rho Gtpases ◽  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Specific Protein ◽  
Cell Polarization ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Post Translational Modification ◽  
Functional Regulation ◽  
Subcellular Compartmentalization ◽  
Cellular Compartments

Cells and tissues are continuously exposed to both chemical and physical stimuli and dynamically adapt and respond to this variety of external cues to ensure cellular homeostasis, regulated development and tissue-specific differentiation. Alterations of these pathways promote disease progression—a prominent example being cancer. Rho GTPases are key regulators of the remodeling of cytoskeleton and cell membranes and their coordination and integration with different biological processes, including cell polarization and motility, as well as other signaling networks such as growth signaling and proliferation. Apart from the control of GTP–GDP cycling, Rho GTPase activity is spatially and temporally regulated by post-translation modifications (PTMs) and their assembly onto specific protein complexes, which determine their controlled activity at distinct cellular compartments. Although Rho GTPases were traditionally conceived as targeted from the cytosol to the plasma membrane to exert their activity, recent research demonstrates that active pools of different Rho GTPases also localize to endomembranes and the nucleus. In this review, we discuss how PTM-driven modulation of Rho GTPases provides a versatile mechanism for their compartmentalization and functional regulation. Understanding how the subcellular sorting of active small GTPase pools occurs and what its functional significance is could reveal novel therapeutic opportunities.

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