ASYMMETRIC CELL-DIVISION - LESSONS FROM FLIES AND WORMS

Insights into the mechanisms of asymmetric cell division have recently been obtained from studies in genetically amenable systems such as Dr osophila and Caenorhabditis elegans. These studies have emphasized the importance of cortically localized polarity organizing molecules, ada pter molecules, and the actin cytoskeleton in controlling unequal segr egation of cell-fate determinants and spindle orientation. The control of asymmetric cell divisions by Wnt signaling in C. elegans and Frizz led signaling in Drosophila reveals additional mechanisms for modulati ng cellular polarity and suggests that there are some similarities bet ween the two systems.