Regulated spindle orientation buffers tissue growth in the epidermis

Tissue homeostasis requires a balance between progenitor cell proliferation and loss. Mechanisms that maintain this robust balance are needed to avoid tissue loss or overgrowth. Here we demonstrate that regulation of spindle orientation/asymmetric cell divisions is one mechanism that is used to buff...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Angel Morrow, Julie Underwood, Lindsey Seldin, Taylor Hinnant, Terry Lechler
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: eLife Sciences Publications Ltd 2019-10-01
Series:eLife
Subjects:
Ras
Online Access:https://elifesciences.org/articles/48482
Description
Summary:Tissue homeostasis requires a balance between progenitor cell proliferation and loss. Mechanisms that maintain this robust balance are needed to avoid tissue loss or overgrowth. Here we demonstrate that regulation of spindle orientation/asymmetric cell divisions is one mechanism that is used to buffer changes in proliferation and tissue turnover in mammalian skin. Genetic and pharmacologic experiments demonstrate that asymmetric cell divisions were increased in hyperproliferative conditions and decreased under hypoproliferative conditions. Further, active K-Ras also increased the frequency of asymmetric cell divisions. Disruption of spindle orientation in combination with constitutively active K-Ras resulted in massive tissue overgrowth. Together, these data highlight the essential roles of spindle orientation in buffering tissue homeostasis in response to perturbations.
ISSN:2050-084X