Giepmans Ben N G, van Ijzendoorn Sven C D
Department of Cell Biology, Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Biochim Biophys Acta. 2009 Apr;1788(4):820-31. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2008.07.015. Epub 2008 Jul 28.
Epithelial cells form a barrier against the environment, but are also required for the regulated exchange of molecules between an organism and its surroundings. Epithelial cells are characterised by a remarkable polarization of their plasma membrane, evidenced by the appearance of structurally, compositionally, and functionally distinct surface domains. Here we consider the (in)dependence of epithelial cell polarisation and the function of smaller plasma membrane domains (e.g. adherens junctions, gap junctions, tight junctions, apical lipid rafts, caveolae, and clathrin-coated pits) in the development and maintenance of cell surface polarity. Recent evidence of cross-talk and/or overlap between the different cell-cell junction components and alternate functions of junction components, including gene expression regulation, are discussed in the context of cell surface polarity.
上皮细胞形成一道抵御外界环境的屏障，但在生物体与其周围环境之间分子的调控交换过程中也发挥着作用。上皮细胞的特征是其质膜具有显著的极化现象，这表现为在结构、组成和功能上不同的表面结构域的出现。在此，我们探讨上皮细胞极化与较小质膜结构域（如黏着连接、缝隙连接、紧密连接、顶端脂筏、小窝和网格蛋白包被小窝）的功能在细胞表面极性的形成和维持过程中的（非）依赖性。我们在细胞表面极性的背景下讨论了不同细胞间连接成分之间相互作用和/或重叠的最新证据，以及连接成分的其他功能，包括基因表达调控。
