FIGURE 3.

Cell polarity in dendritic morphogenesis. (A) Schematic illustration showing the localization of cell polarity proteins in the pre- and postsynaptic compartments of the neuron. Celsr3, Fzd3, and Vangl2 are transmembrane proteins distributed asymmetrically in glutamatergic synapses. Scribble1, Prickle (Pk) and Par complex proteins are intracellular effectors regulating cytoskeleton dynamics important for dendritic spine morphogenesis, neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity. (B) Implication of cell polarity proteins in dendritic spine morphogenesis. Downregulation of Celsr3, Scribble1, and Par6 generates neurons with less dendritic spines. Par3 downregulation produces more filopodia-like dendritic spines. The effect of Vangl2 depends on the type of mutation and temporal deletion of the gene. (C) Schematic illustration showing the implication of cell polarity proteins in dendritic morphogenesis. Downregulation of Celsr3 or Scribble1 causes dendrite overgrowth, whereas downregulation of Vangl2 or Prickle generates less and shorter dendrites. Color code: Celsr3 (green), Scribble1 (purple), Vangl2 (red), prickle (blue), Par3 (orange), Par6 (yellow).