A new spin on planar cell polarity

Abstract

The generation of planar cell polarity (PCP) and tissue shape during morphogenesis is tightly linked, but it is not clear how. Aigouy et al. (2010) now show in the developing Drosophila wing that PCP initially has a radial orientation that becomes realigned to the proximal-distal axis of organ shape by mechanical forces and cell rearrangements mediated by Dachsous.

Figure 1. Planar cell polarity in the fly wing

(A) During fly pupal development, the initial axis of planar cell polarity (PCP) is radial, that is, oriented towards the wing margin (black arrows). (B) As development proceeds, the hinge region (blue) contracts creating an anisotropic mechanical stress on the wing blade resulting in movements of wing cells and realignment of PCP to the proximal-distal axis. (C) The final orientation of PCP is in the proximal-distal axis in late pupal/adult fly wings (black arrows). Green arrows indicate the direction of cell movement, and red arrows show the direction of cellular rotations. These processes take place between 14 and 24 hours after puparium formation.