This model of epithelial cancer uses the Drosophila Scribble polarity complex gene scrib in combination with a member of the Hippo signaling pathway, the Drosophila gene wts. The highly conserved Scribble polarity complex plays a key role in determining cell polarity and cell proliferation in epithelial cells. See also 'cancer, epithelial, SCRIB-related' (FBhh0000587), 'cancer, multiple, Hippo signaling pathway' (FBhh0000764), and the 'Hippo Signaling Pathway' report (FBgg0000917).
The orthologous human genes, Hsap\SCRIB, Hsap\LATS1, and Hsap\LATS2, have been introduced into flies, but have not been used for this disease model. Heterologous rescue (functional complementation) has been demonstrated in all three cases.
The scrib-wts model uses clones generated by mitotic recombination in developing wing discs; clones of scrib[-] wts[-] homozygous double mutant cells develop into large tumors. This system has been used to characterize regulation of JAK/STAT activity in the prothoracic gland by extrinsic factors such as tumors and tissue damage.
[updated Feb. 2022 by FlyBase; FBrf0222196]
LATS1 and LATS2 encode serine/threonine protein kinases belonging to the LATS tumor suppressor family; they act as negative regulators of the Hippo signaling pathway. [Gene Cards, LATS1, LATS2; 2022.02.20]
The SCRIB gene encodes a scaffold protein involved in cell polarization processes; it is involved in tumor suppression pathways. [Gene Cards, SCRIB; 2022.02.20]
Many to one: 2 human genes to 1 Drosophila gene; the second human gene is LRRC1.
Many to one: 2 human genes to 1 Drosophila gene.
Many to one: 2 human genes to 1 Drosophila gene.
Moderate-scoring ortholog of human LATS1 and LATS2 (1 Drosophila to 2 human); Dmel\wts shares 38-42% identity and 47-50% similarity with the human genes.
Ortholog of human SCRIB and LRRC1 (1 Drosophila to 2 human); Dmel\scrib shares 33% identity and 45% similarity with the human SCRIB gene. The human LRRC1 gene encodes a much smaller protein, corresponding to the amino end of SCRIB and Dmel\scrib; it shares 57% identity and 73% similarity with Dmel\scrib within that extent.