The keratin-binding protein Albatross regulates polarization of epithelial cells

Masahiko Sugimoto, Akihito Inoko, Takashi Shiromizu, Masanori Nakayama, Peng Zou, Shigenobu Yonemura, Yuko Hayashi, Ichiro Izawa, Mikio Sasoh, Yukitaka Uji, Kozo Kaibuchi, Tohru Kiyono, Masaki Inagaki

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The keratin intermediate filament network is abundant in epithelial cells, but its function in the establishment and maintenance of cell polarity is unclear. Here, we show that Albatross complexes with Par3 to regulate formation of the apical junctional complex (AJC) and maintain lateral membrane identity. In nonpolarized epithelial cells, Albatross localizes with keratin filaments, whereas in polarized epithelial cells, Albatross is primarily localized in the vicinity of the AJC. Knockdown of Albatross in polarized cells causes a disappearance of key components of the AJC at cell-cell borders and keratin filament reorganization. Lateral proteins E-cadherin and desmoglein 2 were mislocalized even on the apical side. Although Albatross promotes localization of Par3 to the AJC, Par3 and ezrin are still retained at the apical surface in Albatross knockdown cells, which retain intact microvilli. Analysis of keratin-deficient epithelial cells revealed that keratins are required to stabilize the Albatross protein, thus promoting the formation of AJC. We propose that keratins and the keratin-binding protein Albatross are important for epithelial cell polarization.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)19-28
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Cell Biology
Volume183
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 06-10-2008
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Cell Biology

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