Dlg, Scribble and Lgl in cell polarity, cell proliferation and cancer.
Dlg (Discs large), Scrib (Scribble) and Lgl (Lethal giant larvae) are evolutionarily conserved components of a common genetic pathway that link the seemingly disparate functions of cell polarity and cell proliferation in epithelial cells. dlg, scrib and lgl have been identified as tumour suppressor genes in Drosophila, mutations of which cause similar phenotypes, involving disruption of cell polarity and neoplastic overgrowth of tissues. The molecular mechanisms by which Dlg, Scrib and Lgl proteins regulate cell proliferation are not clear, but there is some evidence that epithelial polarisation is required for this regulation. Dlg, Scrib and Lgl are highly conserved between human and Drosophila, and we discuss evidence that these proteins also play a role in cancer progression in humans.
Humbert
Patrick
P
Cell Cycle and Cancer Genetics Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, St. Andrew's Place, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002, Australia.
Russell
Sarah
S
Richardson
Helena
H
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans; D002455:Cell Division; D004330:Drosophila; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009154:Mutation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D010641:Phenotype; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000502:physiology*
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C404683:Scrib protein, Drosophila; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; C081435:l(2)gl protein, Drosophila; C070350:dlg1 protein, Drosophila