In our recently published study, we investigated the function of the Adhesion G protein-coupled receptor FMI-1. The homolog of CELSR/Flamingo/ADGRC is well-described key component of the planar cell polarity pathway. Here, we showed that this receptor also plays a different role, as it modulates the composition of the ECM by controlling the production both of ECM molecules such as collagens and also of ECM modifying enzymes. Thereby, it contributes to the proper morphology and functionality of the cuticule of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. This work was in parts performed by two doctoral researchers of project B14, Alexandra Daum and Rene Schnorr and includes data from the collaboration between projects B14 and Z02.

Schön JL, Groß WE, Post WB, Daum A, Matúš D, Pilz J, Schnorr R, Horn S, Bäumers M, Weidtkamp-Peters S, Hughes S, Schöneberg T, Prömel S
The Adhesion GPCR and PCP component Flamingo (FMI-1) alters body size and regulates the composition of the extracellular matrix.
Matrix Biology (2024); doi: org/10.1016/j.matbio.2024.02.005