E XP E RI ME N TAL C E L L R ES E ARC H
32 8 (2 014 ) 23 9
Available online at www.sciencedirect.com
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/yexcr
Editorial or Introduction
Editorial overview The number of publications on the topic of cell polarity has mushroomed in recent years. The importance of cell polarity combined with the identification of the molecules involved in polarity determination has led to a large increase in polarity studies. In this issue of Experimental Cell Research, we obtain a snapshot of recent activities in this area. The primary focus of these articles extends from the individual molecules involved in polarity determination to the role of polarity in tissue morphogenesis and function. These articles discuss both apicobasal polarity and planar polarity that runs perpendicular to apicobasal polarity in the plane of the tissue. Basic epithelial transport and barrier function require apicobasal polarity and tight junction function. Nathan Goehring provides an excellent overview of the Par proteins that defines components of cell polarity including apicobasal cell polarization in epithelia. Vorhagen and Niessen extends this work to focus on Par proteins in tissue morphogenesis. As these authors highlight apicobasal polarity proteins play a key role in oriented cell division which is crucial for organ development, stem cell maintenance as well as cell fate and cell diversity. The manuscript of Sebbagh and Borg examine the proteins that control planar polarity in cells. Like apicobasal polarity, planar polarity is essential for the oriented development of tissues. Sebbagh and Borg describe, in depth, the distinct proteins that control planar polarity and their interface with signaling pathways. While many planar polarity proteins have been identified, their role in mammalian development is just beginning to be elucidated.
Two other articles in the series drill deeper into organ specific cell polarity. Anne Müsch examines the factors that control the unique polarity of the hepatocyte. These cells create a lumen in the middle of their lateral junctions to generate the bile canalicular network. This manuscript not only discusses the role of apicobasal polarity proteins but also the important function of intracellular transport pathways. In a similar vein, Giovanna Lalli provides an overview of polarity proteins and signaling pathways that contribute to neuronal polarity as represented by the generation of distinct axons and dendrites. In the neuronal system, the important function of apicobasal polarity proteins is highlighted along with the role of signaling pathways, extracellular cues and protein trafficking. Impact of these factors on the cytoskeletal network is also explored. While these papers represent only a glimpse at the broad field of cell polarity, they provide a basic framework to understand polarity in diverse organs and systems.
Ben Margolis University of Michigan
0014-4827/$ - see front matter & 2014 Published by Elsevier Inc. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.yexcr.2014.08.031
32 8 (2 014 ) 23 9
Available online at www.sciencedirect.com
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/yexcr
Editorial or Introduction
Editorial overview The number of publications on the topic of cell polarity has mushroomed in recent years. The importance of cell polarity combined with the identification of the molecules involved in polarity determination has led to a large increase in polarity studies. In this issue of Experimental Cell Research, we obtain a snapshot of recent activities in this area. The primary focus of these articles extends from the individual molecules involved in polarity determination to the role of polarity in tissue morphogenesis and function. These articles discuss both apicobasal polarity and planar polarity that runs perpendicular to apicobasal polarity in the plane of the tissue. Basic epithelial transport and barrier function require apicobasal polarity and tight junction function. Nathan Goehring provides an excellent overview of the Par proteins that defines components of cell polarity including apicobasal cell polarization in epithelia. Vorhagen and Niessen extends this work to focus on Par proteins in tissue morphogenesis. As these authors highlight apicobasal polarity proteins play a key role in oriented cell division which is crucial for organ development, stem cell maintenance as well as cell fate and cell diversity. The manuscript of Sebbagh and Borg examine the proteins that control planar polarity in cells. Like apicobasal polarity, planar polarity is essential for the oriented development of tissues. Sebbagh and Borg describe, in depth, the distinct proteins that control planar polarity and their interface with signaling pathways. While many planar polarity proteins have been identified, their role in mammalian development is just beginning to be elucidated.
Two other articles in the series drill deeper into organ specific cell polarity. Anne Müsch examines the factors that control the unique polarity of the hepatocyte. These cells create a lumen in the middle of their lateral junctions to generate the bile canalicular network. This manuscript not only discusses the role of apicobasal polarity proteins but also the important function of intracellular transport pathways. In a similar vein, Giovanna Lalli provides an overview of polarity proteins and signaling pathways that contribute to neuronal polarity as represented by the generation of distinct axons and dendrites. In the neuronal system, the important function of apicobasal polarity proteins is highlighted along with the role of signaling pathways, extracellular cues and protein trafficking. Impact of these factors on the cytoskeletal network is also explored. While these papers represent only a glimpse at the broad field of cell polarity, they provide a basic framework to understand polarity in diverse organs and systems.
Ben Margolis University of Michigan
0014-4827/$ - see front matter & 2014 Published by Elsevier Inc. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.yexcr.2014.08.031
