Speaker: Andreas Merdes, PhD, Group Leader - Paul Sabatier University-Toulouse III, Centre de Biologie du Développement, France.
Presentation
Organizers: IRB Barcelona
Date: Tuesday 18 June, 2.30pm
Place: Felix Serratosa Hall, Parc Cientific de Barcelona
Host: Jens Lüders, PhD - IRB Barcelona, MOD's Programme
Abstract
In mammalian skin, ninein localizes to the centrosomes of progenitor cells, and relocates to the cell cortex upon differentiation of keratinocytes, where cortical arrays of microtubules are formed. Using ninein knock-out mice, we found that ninein is necessary for spindle orientation during the division of progenitor cells, and for the cortical organization of microtubules in differentiating keratinocytes. Ninein-KO mice display defects in desmosome assembly, and in the secretion of lamellar bodies. Furthermore, the absence of ninein leads to reduced protein levels of keratinocyte differentiation markers. Ninein-deficient mice are viable but develop a thinner skin with partly impaired epidermal barrier, and with resemblance to human inflammatory skin defects.
Extraordinary Seminar of the Mechanisms of Disease Programme