For these reasons, the gene pangolin is most appropriately named, calling to mind both Armadillo and Hedgehog, two proteins discussed below in connection with Pangolin function. Pangolin is one of Drosophila's more recently sequenced segment polarity genes. CI acts in the hedgehog pathway.
Genetic studies show that pangolin acts to transduce the wingless signal.
A constitutively active form of Armadillo was expressed in wild type flies resulting in a naked cuticle phenotype. Denticles normally positioned in the anterior portion of each segment are replaced by naked cuticle. Dring primitive streak formation in mouse embryos, embryonic ectodermal cells, which represent a true epithelial cell layer, give rise to mesoderm. The pan gene is located just upstream of and distal to cubitus interruptus and is transcribed in the opposite direction. Three regions of conservation are noted.