Glycosylation modifies protein activities in various biological processes.
Here, we report the functions of a novel UDP-sugar transporter (UST74C, an
alternative name for Fringe connection (Frc)) localized to the Golgi appara
tus in cellular signalling of Drosophila. Mutants in the frc gene exhibit p
henotypes resembling wingless and Notch mutants. Both Fringe-dependent and
Fringe-independent Notch pathways are affected, and both glycosylation and
proteolytic maturation of Notch are defective in mutant larvae. The results
suggest that changes in nucleotide-sugar levels can differently affect Win
gless and two distinct aspects of Notch signalling.