MARK A PEIFER

..We discuss the implications of our results for Wg signaling, and suggest a role for dAPC2 as a mediator of Wg effects on the cytoskeleton. We also speculate on more general roles that APCs may play in cytoskeletal dynamics...

..2003; Davis et al., 2003; Xiao et al., 2003)...

..Several recent papers reveal new insights into the mechanisms by which cells turn their perceptions about fate into action, focusing on the role of Wnt signal transduction in cell polarization and migration...

..As Peifer discusses in a lively Perspective, new work (Bilder et al.) identifies some of the molecular characters that direct proteins to their different cellular destinations...

..Together, these results demonstrate that MAP-Kinase and Wingless signaling cooperate in both the dorsal and ventral epidermis, and suggest that Wingless may activate both the Wingless and the Jun N-terminal kinase signaling cascades...

..These disruptions in the integrity of epithelia block the appropriate morphogenetic movements of gastrulation. These results provide the first demonstration of the effect of loss of adherens junctions on Drosophila embryonic development...

..These data suggest that the C-terminal domain plays a complex role in Wingless signaling and that Armadillo recruits the transcriptional machinery via multiple contact sites, which act in an additive fashion...

..Together, these data suggest that APC2, Armadillo and alpha-catenin provide an important link between spindles and cortical actin, and that this link is regulated by Zeste-white 3 kinase...

..These results suggest that only certain cells are affected by activation of Armadillo/beta-catenin, and that Armadillo/beta-catenin does not play a general role in inhibiting cell migration or process extension...

..Our data complement and extend results obtained in studies of vertebrate adherens junctions, providing a foundation for understanding how junctional proteins assemble and a basis for interpreting existing mutations and creating new ones...

..Recent studies of the Naked cuticle protein suggest a mechanism for the inactivation of the canonical pathway and concomitant activation of the planar cell polarity pathway...

..Correct localization is shown to be required for biological activity, and a mechanism of RNA transport involving the microtubule motor dynein has been revealed...

..Together, the results suggest that some cell-division events in Drosophila do not require septin function, that there is functional differentiation among the Drosophila septins, or both...

..We discuss possible models for Abl function during epithelial morphogenesis in light of these data...

..Determine APC2's role in cytoskeletal regulation, and 4. Use genetic and biochemical approaches to define new partners for APC2. ..

..Aim 2: Define the mechanisms by which AJs are coupled to the actin cytoskeleton. Aim 3: Characterize novel roles of AJ proteins in cell polarity, spindle orientation and MT organization ..

..We have developed a model system to explore how the tumor suppressor APC normally regulates cell communication and cell behavior, to allow better understanding of what goes wrong in human disease. ..

..We hypothesize that Ena helps generate distinct actin structures using different domains and partners, and that Ena is integrated with other actin regulators in filopodia. We will test these hypotheses. ..

..We have developed a model system to explore how the tumor suppressor APC normally regulates cell communication and cell behavior, to allow better understanding of what goes wrong in human disease. ..

..We have developed a model system to explore how the tumor suppressor APC normally regulates cell communication and cell behavior, to allow better understanding of what goes wrong in human disease. ..

..Finally, we will morphologically characterize intercellular adhesive junctions, and examine whether armadillo mutations disrupt their formation or structure...

..Our proposal seeks to meet these new needs, by the creation of a multi-user facility that will provide a state-of-the art confocal microscope to a large group of NIH funded investigators. ..

..Aim IV. Complete the genetic screen for genes which interact with arm in cell adhesion, signaling or other functions, and characterize the interactors. ..

..We hypothesize that Ena helps generate distinct actin structures using different domains and partners, and that Ena is integrated with other actin regulators in filopodia. We will test these hypotheses. ..