Cell Polarity in Drosophila Retina

Abstract

Apical–basal cell polarity is crucial for the development of multicellular organisms and for the diverse functions of epithelial cells in diverse organs. Cell polarity in epithelial cells is characterized by differential distributions of protein components in the apical and basolateral membrane domains as well as the asymmetric distributions of intracellular materials. The cell polarity is mainly regulated by evolutionary conserved genes, which are Crumbs (Crb) complex of Crb, Stardust (Sdt), Pals-1-associated tight junction protein (Patj), and partitioning-defective (Par) complex of Par-3 (Bazooka, Baz), Par-6, and atypical protein kinase C (aPKC). These cell polarity complexes play fundamental roles in initial cell polarity establishment and its maintenance and regulation. Recently, the roles of these cell polarity genes and their regulations were identified in Drosophila retina development. Here, we review recent discoveries of the roles of Crb and Par complexes and their regulators in morphogenesis and organogenesis of Drosophila retina.