Microtubules are required for efficient epithelial tight junction homeostasis and restoration

Epithelial tight junctions are critical for creating a barrier yet allowing paracellular transport. Although it is well established that the actin cytoskeleton is critical for preserving the dynamic organization of the tight junction and maintaining normal tight junction protein recycling, contribut...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American Journal of Physiology: Cell Physiology 2014-08, Vol.307 (3), p.C245-C254
Main Authors: Glotfelty, Lila G, Zahs, Anita, Iancu, Catalin, Shen, Le, Hecht, Gail A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Actin Cytoskeleton - metabolism
Adenine - analogs & derivatives
Adenine - pharmacology
Animals
Benzyl Compounds - pharmacology
Caco-2 Cells
Calcium
Calcium - chemistry
Cell Line, Tumor
Cells
Cytoskeleton
Dogs
Dynactin Complex
Dyneins - antagonists & inhibitors
Dyneins - genetics
Dyneins - metabolism
Epithelial Cells - metabolism
Epithelium - metabolism
Golgi Apparatus - genetics
Homeostasis
Humans
Kinesin - genetics
Kinesin - metabolism
Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells
Microtubule-Associated Proteins - genetics
Microtubules - metabolism
Nocodazole - pharmacology
Occludin - metabolism
Protein Transport
Proteins
RNA Interference
RNA, Small Interfering
Tight Junctions - metabolism
Tubulin Modulators - pharmacology
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Summary:Epithelial tight junctions are critical for creating a barrier yet allowing paracellular transport. Although it is well established that the actin cytoskeleton is critical for preserving the dynamic organization of the tight junction and maintaining normal tight junction protein recycling, contributions of microtubules to tight junction organization and function remain undefined. The aim of this study is to determine the role of microtubules in tight junction homeostasis and restoration. Our data demonstrate that occludin traffics on microtubules and that microtubule disruption perturbs tight junction structure and function. Microtubules are also shown to be required for restoring barrier function following Ca(2+) chelation and repletion. These processes are mediated by proteins participating in microtubule minus-end-directed trafficking but not plus-end-directed trafficking. These studies show that microtubules participate in the preservation of epithelial tight junction structure and function and play a vital role in tight junction restoration, thus expanding our understanding of the regulation of tight junction physiology.
ISSN:0363-6143
1522-1563
DOI:10.1152/ajpcell.00336.2013