Core proteins

The core complex is made up of six proteins. Three transmembrane proteins and three cytoplasmic proteins.

• Frizzled (Fz), Dishevelled (Dsh) and Diego (Dgo) are localised distally in each cell.

• Strabismus (Stbm) also known as Van Gogh (Vang), and Prickle (Pk) are localised proximally in the same cell.

• Flamingo an atypical cadherin forms a homodimer across the membrane, linking the complexes across the junctions.

The core proteins localise at the level of the adherens junctions, at the proximal-distal cell membranes.

References: Usui, 1999; Strutt, 2001; Feiguin, 2001; Axelrod, 2001; Tree, Cell, 2002; Bastock, 2003.