Basement Membranes in the Worm: A Dynamic Scaffolding that Instructs Cellular
Behaviors and Shapes Tissues
#MMPMID26610919
Clay MR
; Sherwood DR
Curr Top Membr
2015[]; 76
(?): 337-71
PMID26610919
show ga
The nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans has all the major basement membrane
proteins found in vertebrates, usually with a smaller gene family encoding each
component. With its powerful forward genetics, optical clarity, simple tissue
organization, and the capability to functionally tag most basement membrane
components with fluorescent proteins, C. elegans has facilitated novel insights
into the assembly and function of basement membranes. Although basement membranes
are generally thought of as static structures, studies in C. elegans have
revealed their active properties and essential functions in tissue formation and
maintenance. Here, we review discoveries from C. elegans development that
highlight dynamic aspects of basement membrane assembly, function, and regulation
during organ growth, tissue polarity, cell migration, cell invasion, and tissue
attachment. These studies have helped transform our view of basement membranes
from static support structures to dynamic scaffoldings that play broad roles in
regulating tissue organization and cellular behavior that are essential for
development and have important implications in human diseases.
free
free
free
