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What are the central components of polarity pathways ? Are they affected during gliomagenesis?
- Using astrocyte directed migration as a model system, we have identified evolutionary conserved polarity signals that control cell polarity and in particular, demonstrated the role of Cdc42 in front-torear polarization of migrating cells (Etienne-Manneville et al, 2001, 2003, 2004 & 2005) – We have demonstrated the role of the polarity protein Scrib (scribble) in the recruitment and activation of Cdc42 at the cell leading edge (Osmani, 2006).
- We have shown the role of intracellular traffic in controlling Cdc42 activation and cell polarization (Osmani, 2010). We are now investigating how alterations of polarity proteins in glioblastoma cells can affect cell polarity and migration. Expression of GFP-Cdc42 in migrating astrocytes shows Cdc42 association with intracellular membranes and its polarized recruitment to the cell leading edge.