Logic that coordinates cell polarity along the body axis

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: From molecules, cells to organs : trans-hierarchical logic for higher-order pattern and structures
• Project/Area Number: 22127005
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Biological Sciences
• Research Institution: National Institute of Genetics
• Principal Investigator: HITOSHI Sawa 国立遺伝学研究所, 構造遺伝学研究センター, 教授 (80222024)
• Project Period (FY): 2010-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 細胞極性 / 非対称分裂 / Wnt / PCP / βカテニン / APC

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Asymmetric cell division is a fundamental mechanism to produce cellular diversity. In C. elegans, asymmetric divisions are regulated by Wnt signaling, resulting in asymmetric nuclear localization of β-catenin after the divisions. We showed that this localization is regulated by spindle that is formed asymmetrically through cortical APC protein. The results show the presence of new logic that regulates protein nuclear localization by modulating microtubules in cytoplasm.
During development of C. elegans, most cells are polarized in the same orientation with asymmetric β-catenin localization after their divisions. We showed that, in epithelial stem cells, four Wnt genes redundantly controls such coordinated polarity. Polarity orientations are abnormal in the absence of Wnts. But Wnts can properly function even when they are ectopically expressed. Therefore, coordinated cell polarity is controlled through unknown logic.

Free Research Field

発生生物