Q15334

LLGL1 also designated Hugl-1 is a cortical cytoskeleton protein involved in the regulation of mitotic spindle orientation, differentiation, proliferation and tissue organization of neuroepithelial cells. It localizes to the cytoplasm and is found in a complex involved in maintaining cell polarity and epithelial integrity. Hugl-1 is associated with nonmuscle Myosin II heavy chain and interacts with PRKCI/aPKC, PARD6B/Par-6, PARD6A and STX4A. The Hugl-1 protein is expressed in kidney, brain and muscle. Expression of Hugl-1 increases cell adhesion and decreases cell migration. Hugl-1 functions as a tumor suppressor in humans, and loss of Hugl-1 expression contributes to colorectal caner and melanoma progression. LLGL1, the gene encoding for Hugl-1, has significant homology to the Drosophila tumor suppressor gene, l(2)gl, which encodes the protein Lgl. Like Hugl-1, Lgl is also a cortical cytoskeleton protein involved in maintaining cell polarity and epithelial integrity.