Control of cell polarity and asymmetric division in C. elegans

During development of Caenorhabditis elegans, most somatic cells divide asymmetrically to produce daughter cells with distinct fates. A Wnt signaling pathway called Wnt/β-catenin asymmetry pathway controls both polarity of mother cells and distinct fates of daughter cells. Unlike the PCP pathway that regulates cell polarity in other organisms, this Wnt pathway in C. elegans requires β-catenin. However, similar to the PCP pathway, signaling components including Dishevelled proteins are asymmetrically localized to the cell cortex. I will review current knowledge about the mechanism of this regulation and how the orientation of cell polarity is controlled by Wnt proteins.