The role of PAR complex during lens placode embryogenesis.

Author(s)

Maraysa de Oliveira Melo

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI)
• Defense date: 2014-08-08

Examining board members

Chao Yun Irene Yan; Federico David Brown Almeida; Luciane Portas Capelo; Ruy Gastaldoni Jaeger; José Xavier Neto

• Advisor: Chao Yun Irene Yan

Abstract

The lens originates from a simple cuboidal epithelium that overlies the optic vesicle. At this stage, the actin filaments are distributed along its apical-basal sides. The pre-placodal ectoderm, in contact with the optic vesicle, forms a pseudostratified tissue, the lens placode, with accumulation of actin network at the apical domain. Here, we focused on the role of the polarity protein PAR3 and its phosphorylation in the establishment of this apical actin network. Overexpression of PAR3 in the lens placode, induced formation of ectopic actin clusters in the basolateral membrane of the lens placode. The formation of these actin clusters, as well as recruitment of aPKC was independent of Threonine 833 phosphorylation at the PAR3 aPKC-binding site. In addition, PAR3 induced ectopic actin networks in the apical membrane of the periplacodal ectoderm independent of the Threonine 833 phosphorylation. Taken together, these data suggest that PAR3 is sufficient for actin recruitment in the lens placode. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/08203-2 - The role of PAR complex in lens placode development
• Grantee: Maraysa de Oliveira Melo Stein
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)