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, [...]

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 [...]

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.

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 [...]

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

Protocadherin-like wing polarity protein stan; Involved in the fz signaling pathway that controls wing tissue polarity. Also mediates homophilic cell adhesion. May play a role in initiating prehair morphogenesis. May play a critical role in tissue polarity and in formation of normal dendrite fields. During planar cell polarity, stabilizes asymmetric PCP domains together with ATP6AP2.

Dishevelled Associated Activator of Morphogenesis (DAAM) encodes a formin type of actin assembly factor regulated by Rho GTPases. It plays a role in tracheal tube length regulation, tracheal cuticle pattern formation, growth cone filopodia formation, sarcomerogenesis and axonal growth regulation in embryonic and mushroom body neurons.

Rho-associated protein kinase; Rho kinase (Rok) encodes a kinase that, when activated by the GTP form of the product of Rho1, phosphorylates and modulates cytoskeletal proteins, particularly myosin II. Dynamic regulation of this kinase in subcellular locales influences cell polarization, movement, and shape during interphase and mitosis.

Extracellular serine/threonine protein kinase four-jointed; Golgi serine/threonine protein kinase required for intermediate growth in the proximal-distal axis. Phosphorylates specific residues within extracellular cadherin domains of Fat (ft) and Dachsous (ds) as they transit through the Golgi. Acts in ommatidial polarity determination as a secondary signal downstream of Notch, JAK/STAT and wingless. Also necessary for the initiation, up- regulation or maintenance of Notch ligand, Serrate (Ser) expression in legs, thereby participating in a feedback loop with N signaling. Sufficient fo [...]