Analysis of the mechanism for epithelial development in kidney by the novel cell polarity protein Morg1

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26860193
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: General medical chemistry
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: HAYASE JUNYA 九州大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 研究員 (40621686)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: Morg1

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Cell polarization is crucial for development in multicellular organisms including cell fate determination, differentiation, and functions of specific cells, including epithelial cells, that underlie tissue morphogenesis. The plasma membrane of epithelial cells is asymmetrically organized into apical and basolateral domains. The apical membrane, facing the outside, is separated for the basolateral one, which faces neighboring cells and extracellular matrices. Formation of apico-basal polarity is required for both epithelial morphogenesis and function. Recently, we identified Morg1 as a novel epithelial cell polarity protein. However, roles of Morg1 in vivo have remained largely unknown. In this study, we have shown that Morg1 is essential for early embryonic development in mice.

Free Research Field

医歯薬学