Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026
08:57
En Face Endocardial Cushion Preparation for Planar Morphogenesis Analysis in Mouse Embryos
Published on: July 27, 2022
Progress and challenges in understanding planar cell polarity signaling
1Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Room R226a, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. jaxelrod@stanford.edu
Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology
|August 12, 2009
Summary
Planar cell polarity (PCP) guides epithelial cell orientation, crucial for tissue function. This review models PCP mechanisms in Drosophila, identifying knowledge gaps for future research in developmental biology.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Epithelial cells develop planar cell polarity (PCP), orienting perpendicular to the apical-basal axis.
- PCP is vital for normal physiological function in many epithelia.
- Drosophila has been instrumental in understanding PCP mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a model of the planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling mechanism.
- To identify deficient areas in current PCP understanding.
- To guide future research directions in PCP.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on PCP mechanisms.
- Focus on studies utilizing Drosophila as a model system.
- Analysis of conserved PCP mechanisms in vertebrates.
Main Results:
- A model for PCP signaling based on Drosophila studies is presented.
- Two key areas of confusion and deficiency in the literature are highlighted.
- The conserved nature of PCP mechanisms across species is emphasized.
Conclusions:
- Understanding PCP is crucial for addressing medically important developmental defects.
- Further research is needed to resolve current confusion and advance PCP knowledge.
- Clarifying specific knowledge gaps will significantly enhance the understanding of PCP generation.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Cell Polarization by Rho Proteins
Cell polarity is the asymmetric distribution of cellular and membrane components, making one side of the cell different from the other. This polarity is essential to many processes such as embryogenesis, axon migration, glucose transport across epithelial cells, and directional cell migration. A migrating cell responds to intracellular or extracellular signals via molecular cascades that reorganize the actin cytoskeleton to establish this polarity. In these cells, the Rho family proteins Cdc42,...
01:41Non-Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathways
Wnt is a zygotic effect gene that is expressed during very early embryonic development. It regulates various processes in animals starting from early development through the adult stage, such as organogenesis in the embryo and maintenance of neuronal and blood stem cells. Wnt proteins can induce a wide variety of intracellular pathways depending upon the specific abilities of different Wnt ligands to form a complex with shared and cognate receptors in the presence of different co-receptors. The...
01:09Cell Migration
Cell migration, the process by which cells move from one location to another, is essential for the proper development and viability of organisms throughout their life. When cells are not able to migrate properly to their ordained locations, various disorders may occur. For example, disruption in cell migration causes chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.
01:19Cell Migration
Cell migration is a process by which the cells move from one location to another, playing an essential role in embryological development, repair and regeneration, immune response, and metastasis. Cells migrate in response to chemical or mechanical signals generated by specific organs or tissues. The overall mechanism includes three steps - polarization, protrusion, and release. Polarization involves the formation of a distinct cell front and rear, which determines the direction of movement.
02:13Determining the Plane of Cell Division
Positioning the cell division plane is a critical step during development and cell differentiation, particularly during mitosis when the plane is essential for determining the size of the two daughter cells. The cell division plane is perpendicular to the plane of chromosome segregation, but different types of organisms have different cell division mechanisms to suit their morphology and function.
Animal cells
In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms along the plane of cell division starting...
Animal cells
In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms along the plane of cell division starting...
02:13Determining the Plane of Cell Division
Positioning the cell division plane is a critical step during development and cell differentiation, particularly during mitosis when the plane is essential for determining the size of the two daughter cells. The cell division plane is perpendicular to the plane of chromosome segregation, but different types of organisms have different cell division mechanisms to suit their morphology and function.
Animal cells
In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms along the plane of cell division starting...
Animal cells
In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms along the plane of cell division starting...