Required but not essential for cytokinesis of mitotically proliferating germ cells. Highly concentrated in a punctate pattern at the apices and internal membranes adjacent to the rachis. Expression is more intense in the distal proliferative region and in oocytes of the gonad arm. Germ line and its progenitors. Expressed both maternally and zygotically. Membrane proteins Patch and Smoothened form a receptor complex that binds Hedgehog morphogens. Despite the lack of Hh and Smo homologs, ptc-1 is still found to be functional. Absence of ptc-1 leads to the formation of multinucleate germ cells and sterility. Belongs to the patched family.