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Spatial Guidance of Cell Asymmetry: Septin GTPases Show the Way
Journal article   Open access

Spatial Guidance of Cell Asymmetry: Septin GTPases Show the Way

Elias T Spiliotis and Amy S Gladfelter
Traffic (Copenhagen, Denmark), v 13(2), pp 195-203
Feb 2012
PMID: 21883761
url
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0854.2011.01268.xView
Published, Version of Record (VoR) Open

Abstract

spatial biology scaffolds F-actin membrane domains GTPases diffusion barriers cell polarity microtubules septins fungal and animal morphogenesis
Eukaryotic cells develop asymmetric shapes suited for specific physiological functions. Morphogenesis of polarized domains and structures requires the amplification of molecular asymmetries by scaffold proteins and regulatory feedback loops. Small monomeric GTPases signal polarity, but how their downstream effectors and targets are spatially coordinated to break cell symmetry is poorly understood. Septins comprise a novel family of GTPases that polymerize into nonpolar filamentous structures that scaffold and restrict protein localization. Recent studies show that septins demarcate distinct plasma membrane domains and cytoskeletal tracks, enabling the formation of intracellular asymmetries. Here, we review these findings and discuss emerging mechanisms by which septins promote cell asymmetry in fungi and animals.

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Cell Biology
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