科研之友
微信
新浪微博
Facebook
分享链接
摘要
<jats:p>Septate junctions (SJs) are membrane specializations that restrict the free diffusion of solutes via the paracellular pathway in invertebrate epithelia. In arthropods, two morphologically different types of SJs are observed: pleated SJs (pSJs) and smooth SJs (sSJs), which are present in ectodermally- and endodermally-derived epithelia, respectively. Recent identification of sSJ-specific proteins, Mesh and Ssk, in Drosophila indicates that the molecular compositions of sSJs and pSJs differ. A deficiency screen based on immunolocalization of Mesh, identified a tetraspanin family protein, Tsp2A, as a novel protein involved in sSJ formation in Drosophila. Tsp2A specifically localizes at sSJs in the midgut and Malpighian tubules. Compromised Tsp2A expression caused by RNAi or the CRISPR/Cas9 system was associated with defects in the ultrastructure of sSJs, changed localization of other sSJ proteins, and impaired barrier function of the midgut. In most Tsp2A-mutant cells, Mesh failed to localize to sSJs and was distributed through the cytoplasm. Tsp2A forms a complex with Mesh and Ssk and these proteins are mutually interdependent for their localization. These observations suggest that Tsp2A cooperates with Mesh and Ssk to organize sSJs.</jats:p>
- 出版日期2016-3-15
