Lgl and its phosphorylation by aPKC regulate oocyte polarity formation in Drosophila

Specification of the anteroposterior (AP) axis in Drosophila oocytes requires proper organization of the microtubule and actin cytoskeleton. The establishment and regulation of cytoskeletal polarity remain poorly understood, however. Here, we show important roles for the tumor suppressor Lethal (2) giant larvae (Lgl) and atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) in regulating microtubule polarity and setting up the AP axis of the oocyte. Lgl in the germline cells regulates the localization of axis-specifying morphogens. aPKC phosphorylation of Lgl restricts Lgl activity to the oocyte posterior, thereby dividing the cortex into different domains along the AP axis. Active Lgl promotes the formation of actin-rich projections at the oocyte cortex and the posterior enrichment of the serine/threonine kinase Par-1, a key step for oocyte polarization. Our studies suggest that Lgl and its phosphorylation by aPKC may form a conserved regulatory circuitry in polarization of various cell types.