Septins comprise a conserved family of cytoskeletal proteins distinct from the microfilament, microtubule and intermediate filament systems. They are GTPases that have been implicated in a number of cellular processes ranging from mitosis to vesicular trafficking. A new study identifies a previously undefined role for septins as cellular 'corsets', modulating cell shape and providing cortical rigidity in T cells that allows for their controlled migration.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Sanchez-Madrid, F. & del Pozo, M. A. EMBO J. 18, 501–511 (1999).
Tooley, J. T. et al. Nature Cell Biol. 11, 17–26 (2008).
Jacobelli, J., Chmura, S. A., Buxton, D. B., Davis, M. M. & Krummel, M. F. Nature Immunol. 5, 531–538 (2004).
Xu, J. et al. Cell 114, 201–214 (2003).
Worthylake, R. A. & Burridge, K. J. Biol. Chem. 278, 13578–13584 (2003).
Macara, I. G. et al. Mol. Biol. Cell 13, 4111–4113 (2002).
Weirich, C. S., Erzberger, J. P. & Barral, Y. Nature Rev. Mol. Cell Biol. 9, 478–489 (2008).
Kinoshita, M., Field, C. M., Coughlin, M. L., Straight, A. F. & Mitchison, T. J. Dev. Cell 3, 791–802 (2002).
Kremer, B. E., Haystead, T. & Macara, I. G. Mol. Biol. Cell 16, 4648–4659 (2005).
Cunningham, C. C. et al. Science 255, 325–327 (1992).
Kremer, B. E., Adang, L. A. & Macara, I. G. Cell 130, 837–850 (2007).
Spiliotis, E. T., Kinoshita, M. & Nelson, W. J. Science 307, 1781–1785 (2005).
Surka, M. C., Tsang, C. W. & Trimble, W. S. Mol. Biol. Cell 13, 3532–3545 (2002).
Nagata, K., Asano, T., Nozawa, Y. & Inagaki, M. J. Biol. Chem. 279, 55895–55904 (2004).
Nottenburg, C., Gallatin, W. M. & St John, T. Gene 95, 279–284 (1990).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Srougi, M., Burridge, K. Undressing a cellular corset: septins exposed. Nat Cell Biol 11, 9–10 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncb0109-9
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncb0109-9
- Springer Nature Limited