FAT Tumor Suppressor Homolog 4 (FAT4)

Fat4 is an essential gene that has a key role in vertebrate planar cell polarity (PCP). Loss of Fat4 disturbed oriented cell divisions and tubule elongation during kidney development, leading to cystic kidney disease. Fat4 genetically interacts with the PCP genes Vangl2 and Fjx1 in cyst formation.

In addition, Fat4 represses Fjx1 expression, indicating that signaling is conserved. taken together, their data suggested that FAT4 regulates vertebrate PCP and that loss of PCP signaling may underlie some cystic diseases in humans.In silico analysis identified FAT4 mRNAs in fetal brain, infant brain, brain tumor, and colorectal cancer. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that FAT4 is divergent from FAT1, FAT2, and FAT3.