Adapter protein involved in asymmetrical cell division and cell polarization processes. Seems to play a central role in the formation of epithelial tight junctions. Targets the phosphatase PTEN to cell junctions (By similarity). Association with PARD6B may prevent the interaction of PARD3 with F11R/JAM1, thereby preventing tight junction assembly. The PARD6-PARD3 complex links GTP-bound Rho small GTPases to atypical protein kinase C proteins. Required for establishment of neuronal polarity and normal axon formation in cultured hippocampal neurons
Tissue Specificity
Widely expressed.
Cellular Localization
Endomembrane system. Cell junction. Cell junction, tight junction. Cell membrane. Cytoplasm, cell cortex (By similarity). Cytoplasm, cytoskeleton. Note=Localized along the cell-cell contact region. Colocalizes with PARD6A and PRKCI at epithelial tight junctions. Colocalizes with the cortical actin that overlays the meiotic spindle during metaphase I and metaphase II (By similarity). Presence of KRIT1, CDH5 and RAP1B is required for its localization to the cell junction