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Cell polarity: overdosing on PCPs

Seth S Blair1

  • 1Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA. ssblair@wisc.edu

Current Biology : CB
|July 28, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Spatial cues in Drosophila wings orient cell polarity and two communication pathways. One uses core polarity proteins, the other uses Dachsous, Fat, and Dachs proteins.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Cell polarity is crucial for tissue development and function.
  • Intercellular communication mechanisms guide tissue patterning.
  • Drosophila wing epithelium serves as a model for studying cell polarity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how spatial cues influence cell polarity in the Drosophila wing epithelium.
  • To understand the distinct roles of two intercellular communication mechanisms in cell orientation.
  • To elucidate the involvement of 'core' polarity proteins, protocadherins (Dachsous, Fat), and atypical myosin (Dachs) in these processes.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing genetic analysis in Drosophila melanogaster.
  • Employing live imaging techniques to observe cell behavior.
  • Analyzing protein localization and interactions.

Main Results:

  • Spatial cues were found to integrate and direct cell polarity within the wing epithelium plane.
  • Two independent short-range intercellular communication pathways were identified.
  • One pathway relies on 'core' polarity proteins, while the other involves Dachsous, Fat, and Dachs.

Conclusions:

  • Cell polarity in Drosophila wings is established by a combination of spatial cues.
  • Distinct molecular mechanisms, involving core polarity proteins and the Dachsous-Fat-Dachs pathway, mediate intercellular communication and cell orientation.

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