Wg and Wnt4 provide long-range directional input to planar cell polarity orientation in Drosophila

Nat Cell Biol. 2013 Sep;15(9):1045-55. doi: 10.1038/ncb2806. Epub 2013 Aug 4.

Abstract

Planar cell polarity (PCP) is cellular polarity within the plane of an epithelial tissue or organ. PCP is established through interactions of the core Frizzled (Fz)/PCP factors and, although their molecular interactions are beginning to be understood, the upstream input providing the directional bias and polarity axis remains unknown. Among core PCP genes, Fz is unique as it regulates PCP both cell-autonomously and non-autonomously, with its extracellular domain acting as a ligand for Van Gogh (Vang). We demonstrate in Drosophila melanogaster wings that Wg (Wingless) and dWnt4 (Drosophila Wnt homologue) provide instructive regulatory input for PCP axis determination, establishing polarity axes along their graded distribution and perpendicular to their expression domain borders. Loss-of-function studies reveal that Wg and dWnt4 act redundantly in PCP determination. They affect PCP by modulating the intercellular interaction between Fz and Vang, which is thought to be a key step in setting up initial polarity, thus providing directionality to the PCP process.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Patterning / genetics*
  • Cell Polarity
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics*
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / growth & development
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism
  • Frizzled Receptors / genetics
  • Frizzled Receptors / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Glycoproteins / genetics*
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Wings, Animal / cytology
  • Wings, Animal / metabolism*
  • Wnt Proteins / genetics*
  • Wnt Proteins / metabolism
  • Wnt1 Protein / genetics*
  • Wnt1 Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Frizzled Receptors
  • Glycoproteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Vang protein, Drosophila
  • Wnt Proteins
  • Wnt1 Protein
  • Wnt4 protein, Drosophila
  • wg protein, Drosophila