Rho protein regulates tight junctions and perijunctional actin organization in polarized epithelia.

A Nusrat, M Giry, JR Turner… - Proceedings of the …, 1995 - National Acad Sciences
A Nusrat, M Giry, JR Turner, SP Colgan, CA Parkos, D Carnes, E Lemichez, P Boquet…
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1995National Acad Sciences
The rho family of GTP-binding proteins regulates actin filament organization. In unpolarized
mammalian cells, rho proteins regulate the assembly of actin-containing stress fibers at the
cell-matrix interface. Polarized epithelial cells, in contrast, are tall and cylindrical with well
developed intercellular tight junctions that permit them to behave as biologic barriers. We
report that rho regulates filamentous actin organization preferentially in the apical pole of
polarized intestinal epithelial cells and, in so doing, influences the organization and …
The rho family of GTP-binding proteins regulates actin filament organization. In unpolarized mammalian cells, rho proteins regulate the assembly of actin-containing stress fibers at the cell-matrix interface. Polarized epithelial cells, in contrast, are tall and cylindrical with well developed intercellular tight junctions that permit them to behave as biologic barriers. We report that rho regulates filamentous actin organization preferentially in the apical pole of polarized intestinal epithelial cells and, in so doing, influences the organization and permeability of the associated apical tight junctions. Thus, barrier function, which is an essential characteristic of columnar epithelia, is regulated by rho.
National Acad Sciences