Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: SK3

Title: Polycystin-1 induces cell migration by regulating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent cytoskeletal rearrangements and GSK3beta-dependent cell cell mechanical adhesion.

Authors: Manila Boca, Lisa D'Amato, Gianfranco Distefano, Roman S Polishchuk, Gregory G Germino, Alessandra Boletta

Journal, date & volume: Mol. Biol. Cell, 2007 Oct , 18, 4050-61

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17671167

Abstract
Polycystin-1 (PC-1) is a large plasma-membrane receptor encoded by the PKD1 gene mutated in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Although the disease is thought to be recessive on a molecular level, the precise mechanism of cystogenesis is unclear, although cytoarchitecture defects seem to be the most likely initiating events. Here we show that PC-1 regulates the actin cytoskeleton in renal epithelial cells (MDCK) and induces cell scattering and cell migration. All of these effects require phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) activity. Consistent with these observations Pkd1-/- mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) have reduced capabilities to migrate compared with controls. PC-1 overexpressing MDCK cells are able to polarize normally with proper adherens and tight junctions formation, but show quick reabsorption of ZO-1, E-cadherin, and beta-catenin upon wounding of a monolayer and a transient epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) that favors a rapid closure of the wound and repolarization. Finally, we show that PC-1 is able to control the turnover of cytoskeletal-associated beta-catenin through activation of GSK3beta. Expression of a nondegradable form of beta-catenin in PC-1 MDCK cells restores strong cell-cell mechanical adhesion. We propose that PC-1 might be a central regulator of epithelial plasticity and its loss results in impaired normal epithelial homeostasis.