Prickle (protein)
Encyclopedia
The first prickle protein
was identified in Drosophila
as a planar cell polarity protein. Vertebrate prickle-1 was first found as a rat
protein that binds to a transcription factor
, neuron-restrictive silencer factor (NRSF). It was then recognized that other vertebrates including mice
and human
s have two genes that are related to Drosophila prickle. Mouse prickle-2 was found to be expressed in mature neuron
s of the brain
along with mouse homologs of Drosophila planar polarity genes flamingo
and dischevelled.
Prickle is recruited to the cell
surface membrane
by strabismus
, another planar cell polarity protein. In the developing Drosophila wing, prickle becomes concentrated at the proximal side of cells. Prickle can compete with the ankyrin-repeat protein Diego for a binding site on Dishevelled.
In Drosophila, prickle is present inside cells in multiple forms due to alternative splicing
of the prickle mRNA. The relative levels of the alternate forms may be regulated and involved in the normal control of planar cell polarity.
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
was identified in Drosophila
Drosophila
Drosophila is a genus of small flies, belonging to the family Drosophilidae, whose members are often called "fruit flies" or more appropriately pomace flies, vinegar flies, or wine flies, a reference to the characteristic of many species to linger around overripe or rotting fruit...
as a planar cell polarity protein. Vertebrate prickle-1 was first found as a rat
Rat
Rats are various medium-sized, long-tailed rodents of the superfamily Muroidea. "True rats" are members of the genus Rattus, the most important of which to humans are the black rat, Rattus rattus, and the brown rat, Rattus norvegicus...
protein that binds to a transcription factor
Transcription factor
In molecular biology and genetics, a transcription factor is a protein that binds to specific DNA sequences, thereby controlling the flow of genetic information from DNA to mRNA...
, neuron-restrictive silencer factor (NRSF). It was then recognized that other vertebrates including mice
Mouse
A mouse is a small mammal belonging to the order of rodents. The best known mouse species is the common house mouse . It is also a popular pet. In some places, certain kinds of field mice are also common. This rodent is eaten by large birds such as hawks and eagles...
and human
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
s have two genes that are related to Drosophila prickle. Mouse prickle-2 was found to be expressed in mature neuron
Neuron
A neuron is an electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits information by electrical and chemical signaling. Chemical signaling occurs via synapses, specialized connections with other cells. Neurons connect to each other to form networks. Neurons are the core components of the nervous...
s of the brain
Brain
The brain is the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals—only a few primitive invertebrates such as sponges, jellyfish, sea squirts and starfishes do not have one. It is located in the head, usually close to primary sensory apparatus such as vision, hearing,...
along with mouse homologs of Drosophila planar polarity genes flamingo
Flamingo (protein)
Flamingo is a member of the adhesion-GPCR family of proteins. Flamingo has sequence homology to cadherins and G protein-coupled receptors . Flamingo was originally identified as a Drosophila protein involved in planar cell polarity. Mammals have three flamingo homologs, CELSR1, CELSR2, CELSR3...
and dischevelled.
Prickle is recruited to the cell
Cell (biology)
The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all known living organisms. It is the smallest unit of life that is classified as a living thing, and is often called the building block of life. The Alberts text discusses how the "cellular building blocks" move to shape developing embryos....
surface membrane
Cell membrane
The cell membrane or plasma membrane is a biological membrane that separates the interior of all cells from the outside environment. The cell membrane is selectively permeable to ions and organic molecules and controls the movement of substances in and out of cells. It basically protects the cell...
by strabismus
Strabismus (protein)
Strabismus was originally identified as a Drosophila protein involved in planar cell polarity. Flies with mutated stranismus genes have altered development of omatidia in their eyes...
, another planar cell polarity protein. In the developing Drosophila wing, prickle becomes concentrated at the proximal side of cells. Prickle can compete with the ankyrin-repeat protein Diego for a binding site on Dishevelled.
In Drosophila, prickle is present inside cells in multiple forms due to alternative splicing
Splicing (genetics)
In molecular biology and genetics, splicing is a modification of an RNA after transcription, in which introns are removed and exons are joined. This is needed for the typical eukaryotic messenger RNA before it can be used to produce a correct protein through translation...
of the prickle mRNA. The relative levels of the alternate forms may be regulated and involved in the normal control of planar cell polarity.