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Lipoprotein particles are required for Hedgehog and Wingless signalling
Daniela Panáková1, Hein Sprong, Eric Marois
1Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse-108, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
Nature
|May 6, 2005
Summary
Lipoprotein particles transport lipid-modified morphogens like Wingless and Hedgehog, crucial for developmental signaling. Reduced lipoprotein levels impair morphogen spreading and signaling range in Drosophila development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Signaling
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Wnt and Hedgehog proteins are essential secreted morphogens controlling development.
- These proteins undergo lipid modification, posing a challenge for long-range transport.
- The mechanism of hydrophobic morphogen spreading is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the transport mechanism of lipid-modified morphogens.
- To determine the role of lipoprotein particles in morphogen distribution.
- To elucidate how Wingless and Hedgehog proteins spread during development.
Main Methods:
- Copurification of Wingless, Hedgehog, and GPI-linked proteins with lipoprotein particles.
- Co-localization studies in Drosophila wing epithelium.
- Analysis of morphogen signaling range in larvae with reduced lipoprotein levels.
Main Results:
- Wingless, Hedgehog, and GPI-linked proteins associate with lipoprotein particles.
- Lipoprotein particles and these proteins co-localize in the Drosophila wing.
- Reduced lipoprotein levels lead to Hedgehog accumulation and narrowed signaling range.
- Wingless signaling range is also reduced in lipoprotein-deficient larvae.
Conclusions:
- Lipoprotein particles serve as novel vehicles for transporting lipid-linked morphogens.
- This mechanism explains the long-range spreading of Wingless and Hedgehog.
- Lipoprotein-mediated transport is critical for proper developmental patterning.
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