How is planar polarity established in the follicular epithelium?
Follicle elongation depends on the precise, planar arrangement of cytoskeletal and extracellular matrix molecules at the basal surface of the follicular epithelium. Interestingly, this example of planar polarity does not depend on the well studied Frizzled-PCP signaling pathway, suggesting that an unconventional regulatory mechanism operates in this tissue. We are using genetic, cell biological and biochemical approaches to investigate the molecular mechanisms controlling this novel planar polarity system. What are the cellular behaviors that drive follicle elongation? Planar polarity is used to coordinate individual cellular behaviors within the epithelium during follicle elongation, but the nature of these cellular behaviors is mysterious. We are employing dynamic live imaging techniques, in both wild-type and mutant contexts, to better understand the polarized cell behaviors that drive this morphogenesis.
