Vang-like 2 (Van Gogh, Drosophila)

Van Gogh is an alternate name for the Drosophila strabismus protein. Van Gogh like-2 (VANGL2) is a 521aa protein in vertebrates similar to strabismus 1 of Drosophila and a component of the frizzled-dishevelled tissue polarity pathway. It interacts through it's C-terminal region with the N-terminal half of DVL1, DVL2 and DVL3 and is a potent tumor suppressor. It is predominantly involved in the control of early morphogenesis and patterning of both axial midline structures and the development of neural plate. It plays a crucial role in the regulation of planar cell polarity, particularly in the orientation of stereociliary bundles in the cochlea. VANGL2 is required for polarization and movement of myocardializing cells and seems to act via RHOA signaling to regulate this process. It is expressed in a wide range of tissues.