title: Planar cell polarity and vertebrate organogenesis.
abstract: In addition to being polarized along their apical/basal axis, cells composing most (if not all) organs are also polarized in a plane vertical to the A/B axis. Recent studies indicate that this so-called planar cell polarity (PCP) plays an essential role in the formation of multiple organ systems regulating directed cell migrations, polarized cell division and proper differentiation. In this review we will discuss the molecular mechanisms regulating PCP, including the hypothesized roles for Wnt ligands in this process, and its roles in vertebrate organogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, 75390, USA.
authors.forename: Courtney
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Karner
authors.forename: Keith A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Wharton
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Carroll
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning; D016764:Cell Polarity; D038081:Organogenesis; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D051153:Wnt Proteins