Tissue morphodynamics: Translating planar polarity cues into polarized cell behaviors

Abstract

The ability of cells to collectively orient and align their behaviors is essential in multicellular organisms for unidirectional cilia beating, collective cell movements, oriented cell divisions, and asymmetric cell fate specification. The planar cell polarity pathway coordinates a vast and diverse array of collective cell behaviors by intersecting with downstream pathways that regulate cytoskeletal dynamics and intercellular signaling. How the planar polarity pathway translates directional cues to produce polarized cell behaviors is the focus of this review.

Keywords: Asymmetric cell division; Cell polarity; Cilia; Convergent extension; Directional signaling; Hair follicles; Planar cell polarity; Planar polarity; Stereocilia; Wing hairs.