Sdt Activators

Sdt, short for Stardust, is a crucial protein in Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) that plays a significant role in establishing and maintaining epithelial cell polarity. Epithelial cells form the linings of organs and structures within the body and are characterized by their distinct apical (top) and basal (bottom) sides, a feature critical for their function. Sdt is a part of the Crumbs complex, a group of proteins that includes the transmembrane protein Crumbs and other associated molecules. This complex is essential in defining the apical membrane domain of epithelial cells.

The primary function of Sdt within the Crumbs complex is to mediate the localization and stabilization of Crumbs at the apical membrane. Sdt acts as an adaptor protein, linking Crumbs to the underlying cytoskeleton and other signaling components. This interaction is vital for the formation of a distinct apical membrane, which is necessary for proper cell orientation, differentiation, and the formation of tight junctions between cells.Mutations or disruptions in Sdt can lead to defects in epithelial cell polarity, resulting in developmental abnormalities and compromised tissue integrity. Such polarity defects are not only crucial in developmental biology but also have implications in disease states, including cancer, where loss of cell polarity is a hallmark of tumor progression.