Linkage between cell membrane proteins and actin-based cytoskeleton: the cytoskeletal-driven cellular functions

Asymmetric organization of the plasma membrane and cytosolic organelles is fundamental for a variety of cells, including bacteria, yeast and eukaryoti c cells (Nelson, 1992). The degree into which cells polarize is characteriz ed by their ability to create and maintain morphologically and biochemicall y distinct plasma membrane domains. The generation and maintenance of polar ized distribution of membrane components (proteins and lipids) is thus crit ical to the ability of cells to perform complex activities such as cell-to- cell interactions, vectorial transport and secretion, cellular immunity, de velopment and morphogenesis. Modification of cellular polarity may potentia lly lead to abnormal cellular activities and various pathological disorders (Molitoris, 1991; Carone et al., 1994; Chen et al., 1995). Our review show s the complex interplay between membrane proteins and the cytoskeletal netw ork in determining the "polarized phenotype" in the cell. We provide eviden ce that membrane/cytoskeleton interaction is the key to regulation of the v ast majority of cellular functions.