Planar cell polarity effector gene Intu regulates cell fate-specific differentiation of keratinocytes through the primary cilia

D. Dai, L. Li, A. Huebner, H. Zeng, E. Guevara, D. J. Claypool, A. Liu, J. Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Genes involved in the planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling pathway are essential for a number of developmental processes in mammals, such as convergent extension and ciliogenesis. Tissue-specific PCP effector genes of the PCP signaling pathway are believed to mediate PCP signals in a tissue-and cell type-specific manner. However, how PCP signaling controls the morphogenesis of mammalian tissues remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of inturned (Intu), a tissue-specific PCP effector gene, during hair follicle formation in mice. Tissue-specific disruption of Intu in embryonic epidermis resulted in hair follicle morphogenesis arrest because of the failure of follicular keratinocyte to differentiate. Targeting Intu in the epidermis resulted in almost complete loss of primary cilia in epidermal and follicular keratinocytes, and a suppressed hedgehog signaling pathway. Surprisingly, the epidermal stratification and differentiation programs and barrier function were not affected. These results demonstrate that tissue-specific PCP effector genes of the PCP signaling pathway control the differentiation of keratinocytes through the primary cilia in a cell fate-and context-dependent manner, which may be critical in orchestrating the propagation and interpretation of polarity signals established by the core PCP components.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)130-138
Number of pages9
JournalCell Death and Differentiation
Volume20
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2013

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Planar cell polarity effector gene Intu regulates cell fate-specific differentiation of keratinocytes through the primary cilia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this