Patterning of the epithelial planar polarized microtubule cytoskeleton

• Applicant: Dr. Maja Matis
• Subject Area: Cell Biology ; Developmental Biology
• Term: from 2019 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 432241631

Work in our lab is focused on collective cell behavior during tissue formation and patterning. In particular, we aim at understanding the integration of locally produced mechanical forces into a global tissue force pattern and the resulting changes in cell and tissue shape. In recent work, we showed that a delicate balance between actin-based contractile and microtubule-based protruding forces determine wing shape during Drosophila development (Singh et al., 2018, Nat Cell Biol). Specifically, we found that patterning of the microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton at the single cell level instructs tissue morphogenesis via coordinated generation and integration of cell-autonomous local forces into a global tissue force pattern (collective mechanics). We further established that MTs, and in consequence mechanical cell and tissue properties, align in response to global cues determined by planar cell polarity (PCP) proteins. Yet, the precise mechanism for this fundamental process has remained elusive. In the proposed project, we will now extend our previous studies and provide crucial insights into: • How the MT cytoskeleton imprints cellular order in the developing epithelium (Aim 1).• How individual cells are mechanically coupled via MTs to coordinate tissue shape (Aim 2).Together, the proposed studies will identify novel mechanisms by which the MT cytoskeleton is harnessed to control epithelium remodeling during development.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants