Apical-basal polarity of the spectrin cytoskeleton in the C. elegans vulva.

Authors :: Barker TJ
Chan FY
Carvalho AX
Sundaram MV
Source :: MicroPublication biology [MicroPubl Biol] 2023 Jun 14; Vol. 2023. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Jun 14 (Print Publication: 2023).
Publication Year :: 2023
Abstract: The C. elegans vulva is a polarized epithelial tube that has been studied extensively as a model for cell-cell signaling, cell fate specification, and tubulogenesis. Here we used endogenous fusions to show that the spectrin cytoskeleton is polarized in this organ, with conventional beta-spectrin ( UNC-70 ) found only at basolateral membranes and beta heavy spectrin ( SMA-1 ) found only at apical membranes. The sole alpha-spectrin ( SPC-1 ) is present at both locations but requires SMA-1 for its apical localization. Thus, beta spectrins are excellent markers for vulva cell membranes and polarity.<br />Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest present.<br /> (Copyright: © 2023 by the authors.)