Opposing roles for lipocalins and a CD36 family scavenger receptor in apical extracellular matrix-dependent protection of narrow tube integrity (opens in new tab)

ABSTRACTAll exposed epithelial surfaces, including the walls of internal tubes, are lined by a lipid and glycoprotein-rich apical extracellular matrix (aECM) that helps shape and protect the apical domain. Secreted lipocalins are lipid transporters frequently found within apical compartments. We show that loss of the Caenorhabditis elegans lipocalin LPR-1 disrupts the assembly of another lipocalin, LPR-3, within the pre-cuticle aECM that protects and shapes the narrow excretory duct and pore ...