Cadherin-related tumor suppressor; Involved in regulation of planar cell polarity in the compound eye where it is required for correct specification of the R3 and R4 photoreceptor cells by regulating Fz activity in the R3/R4 precursor cells. This is likely to occur through creation of an ft gradient so that the equatorial R3/R4 precursor cell has a higher level of ft function than its polar neighbor. Also required for planar cell polarity of wing hairs. Mediates heterophilic cell adhesion in vitro and is required to stabilize ds on the cell surface. Involved in regulation of eye imagin [...]

Dachs, isoform E; Dachs (d) encodes a myosin family protein that participates in Dachsous-Fat signaling, which polarizes its localization. It influences planar cell polarity, partly through interaction with the product of pk, and growth, through interaction with the product of wts; Belongs to the TRAFAC class myosin-kinesin ATPase superfamily. Myosin family.

Protein prickle; Acts in a planar cell polarity (PCP) complex; polarization along the apical/basal axis of epithelial cells. Correct expression of the alternative isoforms is required for PCP signaling in imaginal disks. PCP signaling in the wing disk requires the receptor fz and the cytoplasmic proteins dsh and pk. These act in a feedback loop leading to activation of the jnk cascade and subsequent polarized arrangement of hairs and bristles. Dgo and pk compete with one another for dsh binding, thereby modulating fz dsh activity and ensuring tight control over fz PCP signaling. Vang, [...]

Vang-like protein; Van Gogh (Vang) encodes a four-pass transmembrane protein that localizes to cell junctions. It is part of the Frizzled-dependent planar polarity pathway that establishes planar polarity in epithelia. It is also implicated in nervous system patterning.

Espinas (esn) encodes a LIM domain protein that binds to the seven-pass transmembrane cadherin encoded by stan. This stan-esn interplay elicits repulsion between dendritic branches of sensory neurons; Belongs to the prickle / espinas / testin family.

Diego, isoform A; Diego (dgo) encodes an ankyrin-repeat protein involved in planar cell polarity.

Frizzled; Receptor for Wnt proteins. Most of frizzled receptors are coupled to the beta-catenin canonical signaling pathway, which leads to the activation of disheveled proteins, inhibition of GSK-3 kinase, nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin and activation of Wnt target genes. A second signaling pathway involving PKC and calcium fluxes has been seen for some family members, but it is not yet clear if it represents a distinct pathway or if it can be integrated in the canonical pathway, as PKC seems to be required for Wnt-mediated inactivation of GSK-3 kinase. Both pathways seem to inv [...]

Frizzled-3; Receptor for Wnt proteins. Most of frizzled receptors are coupled to the beta-catenin canonical signaling pathway, which leads to the activation of disheveled proteins, inhibition of GSK-3 kinase, nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin and activation of Wnt target genes. A second signaling pathway involving PKC and calcium fluxes has been seen for some family members, but it is not yet clear if it represents a distinct pathway or if it can be integrated in the canonical pathway, as PKC seems to be required for Wnt-mediated inactivation of GSK-3 kinase. Both pathways seem to i [...]

Segment polarity protein dishevelled; Required to establish coherent arrays of polarized cells and segments in embryos. Plays a role in wingless (wg) signaling, possibly through the reception of the wg signal by target cells and subsequent redistribution of arm protein in response to that signal in embryos. This signal seems to be required to establish planar cell polarity and identity.