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Ric-8 controls Drosophila neural progenitor asymmetric division by regulating heterotrimeric G proteins.
- Source :
-
Nature Cell Biology . Nov2005, Vol. 7 Issue 11, p1091-1098. 8p. 5 Diagrams. - Publication Year :
- 2005
-
Abstract
- Asymmetric division of Drosophila neuroblasts (NBs) and the Caenorhabditis elegans zygote uses polarity cues provided by the Par proteins, as well as heterotrimeric G-protein-signalling that is activated by a receptor-independent mechanism mediated by GoLoco/GPR motif proteins. Another key component of this non-canonical G-protein activation mechanism is a non-receptor guanine nucleotide-exchange factor (GEF) for Gα, RIC-8, which has recently been characterized in C. elegans and in mammals. We show here that the Drosophila Ric-8 homologue is required for asymmetric division of both NBs and pI cells. Ric-8 is necessary for membrane targeting of Gαi, Pins and Gβ13F, presumably by regulating multiple Gα subunit(s). Ric-8 forms an in vivo complex with Gαi and interacts preferentially with GDP–Gαi, which is consistent with Ric-8 acting as a GEF for Gαi. Comparisons of the phenotypes of Gαi, Ric-8, Gβ13F single and Ric-8;Gβ13F double loss-of-function mutants indicate that, in NBs, Ric-8 positively regulates Gαi activity. In addition, Gβγ acts to restrict Gαi (and GoLoco proteins) to the apical cortex, where Gαi (and Pins) can mediate asymmetric spindle geometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14657392
- Volume :
- 7
- Issue :
- 11
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Nature Cell Biology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 20029180
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/ncb1317