Involved in regulation of intracellular signaling pathways during development. Specifically thought to play a role in canonical and/or non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways through interaction with DSH (Dishevelled) family proteins. The activation/inhibition of Wnt signaling may depend on the phosphorylation status. Proposed to regulate the degradation of CTNNB1/beta-catenin, thereby modulating the transcriptional activation of target genes of the Wnt signaling pathway. Its function in stabilizing CTNNB1 may involve inhibition of GSK3B activity. Promotes the membrane localization of CTNNB1. The cytoplasmic form can induce DVL2 degradation via a lysosome-dependent mechanism; the function is inhibited by PKA-induced binding to 14-3-3 proteins, such as YWHAB (By similarity). Seems to be involved in morphogenesis at the primitive streak by regulating VANGL2 and DVL2; the function seems to be independent of canonical Wnt signaling and rather involves the non-canonical Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway. The nuclear form may prevent the formation of LEF1:CTNNB1 complex and recruit HDAC1 to LEF1 at target gene promoters to repress transcription thus antagonizing Wnt signaling (By similarity). May be involved in positive regulation of fat cell differentiation. During neuronal differentiation may be involved in excitatory synapse organization, and dendrite formation and establishment of spines. Can form homodimers and heterodimers with DACT2 or DACT3. Interacts with CSNK1D, PKA catalytic subunit, PKC-type kinase, CSNK2A1, CSNK2B, DVL1, DLV2, DVAL3, VANGL1, VANGL2, CTNND1 and HDAC1. Interacts with GSK3B; the interaction is indicative for an association of DACT1 with the beta-catenin destruction complex. Interacts with GSK3A. Interacts with YWHAB; the interaction is enhanced by PKA phosphorylating DACT1 at Ser-769. Interacts with CTNNB1 (By similarity). Shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Seems to be nuclear in the absence of Wnt signaling and to translocate to the cytoplasm in its presence (By similarity). Expressed in multiple tissues including brain, heart, kidney, liver and testis. Expression strongly increases from 9.5 dpc, peaks between 11.5 dpc and 13.5 dpc and diminishes slowly thereafter. Expressed in the somites during segmentation, limb bud mesenchyme, and developing central nervous system. Expressed in primitive streak mesoderm, neuroectoderm, neural crest, presomitic mesoderm and somites. The C-terminal PDZ-binding motif mediates interaction with the PDZ domains of DSH (Dishevelled) family proteins. Mice die within a day of birth with malformations involving the spine, genitourinary system and distal digestive tract due to disrupted germ-layer morphogenesis at the primitive streak where cells undergo an epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Urogenital defects due to impaired hindgut formation start at embryonic day 8.25. Dvl2 and Vangl2 are found increased at the primitive streak, associated with abnormal distribution of E-cadherin. Belongs to the dapper family. Truncated N-terminus.