Protein Complex Assemblies in Epithelial Cell Polarity and Asymmetric Cell Division

Abstract

Asymmetric local concentration of protein complexes on distinct membrane regions is a fundamental property in numerous biological processes and is a hallmark of cell polarity. Evolutionarily conserved core polarity proteins form specific and dynamic networks to regulate the establishment and maintenance of cell polarity, as well as distinct polarity-driven cellular events. This review focuses on the molecular and structural basis governing regulated formation of several sets of core cell polarity regulatory complexes, as well as their functions in epithelial cell polarization and asymmetric cell division.

Keywords: Asymmetric cell division; Epithelial cell polarity; Par complex; Polarity proteins; Protein complex assembly.