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Cell polarity

From embryo to axon

Nature volume 421, pages 905–906 (2003)Cite this article

Many cell types in our body, ranging from neurons to the epithelial cells that line the lungs and skin, must be polarized to function properly. The same mechanism may establish the polarity of many of these cells.

Until now, two classes of proteins have been implicated in establishing neuronal polarity. The first class is involved in remodelling actin filaments, one of the major components of the cellular 'skeleton'. Actin remodelling must take place during any change in cell shape, such as axon or dendrite protrusion, and is particularly important during the initial steps of axon formation2. The proteins in question include the Rho family of enzymes, and are thought to enable the rapid growth required by an extending axon3. The second class of proteins includes modulators of another type of cytoskeletal filament, microtubules. Proteins in this class are either unique to, or used differently by, neurons. Axons are enriched in several neuron-specific microtubule-binding proteins, including tau and CRMP-2 (ref. 3). Dendrite microtubules are organized in part by the motor protein MKLP1 (ref. 4), which is not known to regulate polarity in other cells.

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Figure 1: Neurons are highly polarized.
Figure 2: Par proteins produce polarity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. the Institute of Neuroscience and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Oregon, Eugene, 97403, Oregon, USA

    Melissa M. Rolls & Chris Q. Doe

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  1. Melissa M. Rolls
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  2. Chris Q. Doe
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Correspondence to Chris Q. Doe.

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Rolls, M., Doe, C. From embryo to axon. Nature 421, 905–906 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/421905a

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