Vergleich der molekularen und zellulären Mechansimen, die die planare Zellpolarität in Drosophila und Vertebraten bestimmen

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The aim of this project is to identify common mechanisms underlying planar cell polarity in Drosophila and in zebrafish. Planar polarization of the Drosophila wing epithelium is reflected by a hair extending from the distal end of each cell. Similarly, gastrulating cells of vertebrates form polarized extensions in the direction of cell movement. In both cases it was shown that planar polarity is controlled by Wnt/Fz-mediated PCP signalling. In the Drosophila wing, PCP signalling controls both the number and polarization of wing hairs. While most studies have focused on the role of PCP signalling in the initial wing hair polarization, much less is known about the function of this signalling pathway in the subsequent control of wing hair number. To better understand this late step of planar polarization, I have chosen to focus on genes such as inturned and fuzzy, as well as newly identified genes, which regulate wing hair number in Drosophila. These genes will be characterized both in the Drosophila wing and during zebrafish gastrulation This will provide new insights into the conserved mechanisms of planar polarization in different biological contexts, and improve our understanding of how molecular mechanisms are used in different organisms to regulate fundamental cellular properties.