Arm and Abl proteins function cooperatively at adherens junctions in both the CNS and epidermis; critical for embryonic epithelial morphogenesis regulating cell shape changes and cell migration. Plays a critical role in transducing embryonic midline repulsive cues; may regulate cytoskeletal dynamics underlying a growth cone's response to midline cues. The ability of pCC/MP2 axons to correctly interpret midline repulsive cues and stay on the ipsilateral side is dependent on the strength of both Slit/robo and Abl-dependent signaling pathways. ATP + L-tyrosyl-[protein] = ADP + H(+) + O-phospho-L-tyrosyl-[protein] Arm and ena colocalize with Abl at adherens junctions throughout development. Expressed both maternally and zygotically. Both loss- and gain-of-function mutants exhibit neurons within the pCC/MP2 pathway that incorrectly project across the midline. Loss of Abl disrupts cell migration and cell shape changes during dorsal closure. Belongs to the protein kinase superfamily. Tyr protein kinase family. ABL subfamily.