Delivery of endosomes to lysosomes via microautophagy in the visceral endoderm of mouse embryos

Nobuyuki Kawamura, Ge-Hong Sun-Wada, Minako Aoyama, Akihiro Harada, Shunsuke Takasuga, Takehiko Sasaki and Yoh Wada ()
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Nobuyuki Kawamura: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women's College, Kohdo, Kyotanabe, Kyoto 610-0395, Japan.
Ge-Hong Sun-Wada: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women's College, Kohdo, Kyotanabe, Kyoto 610-0395, Japan.
Minako Aoyama: Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, 8-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan.
Akihiro Harada: Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
Shunsuke Takasuga: Akita University, Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Hondo, Akita 010-8543, Japan.
Takehiko Sasaki: Akita University, Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Hondo, Akita 010-8543, Japan.
Yoh Wada: Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, 8-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan.

Nature Communications, 2012, vol. 3, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract The differentiation and patterning of murine early embryos are sustained by the visceral endoderm, an epithelial layer of polarised cells that has critical roles in multiple signalling pathways and nutrient uptake. Both nutritional and signalling functions rely upon the endocytosis of various molecules from the cell surface via the endocytic pathway. However, endocytic membrane dynamics in this embryonic tissue remain poorly understood. Here we show that the functions of rab7, a small GTP-binding protein regulating the late endocytic pathway, are essential for embryonic patterning during gastrulation. The endosomes of visceral endoderm cells are delivered via a unique microautophagy-like process to the apical vacuole, a large compartment exhibiting lysosomal characteristics. Loss of rab7 function results in severe inhibition of this endocytic pathway. Our results indicate that the microautophagic process and flow of the endocytic membrane have essential roles in early embryonic development.

Date: 2012
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2069

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