Function
PLR-1 is a probable E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase that negatively regulates the Wnt signaling pathway. This regulation occurs through the ubiquitination, endocytosis, and subsequent degradation of Wnt receptor complex components, specifically Frizzled. PLR-1 impacts both canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways. Furthermore, it plays a crucial role in neuronal cell migration and axon guidance, notably in CAN, HSN, AVK, and AVG neuronal cell types. In AVG unpaired interneurons, PLR-1 promotes differentiation and regulates anteroposterior polarity by sequestering Wnt signaling proteins (cfz-2, mig-1, and mom-5) within endosomes. This sequestration reduces cell surface expression of these proteins and negatively regulates Wnt signaling. PLR-1 may also regulate AVG polarity and axon guidance through Wnt-independent mechanisms involving unc-53/Nav2, unc-73/Trio, and the cytosolic protein vab-8.
Tissue Specificity
Expressed in a subset of head, ventral nerve cord and tail neurons, the excretory canal and tail epidermis.