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The retromer complex influences Wnt secretion by recycling wntless from endosomes to the trans-Golgi network

Tatyana Y Belenkaya1, Yihui Wu, Xiaofang Tang

  • 1Division of Developmental Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.

Developmental Cell
|December 28, 2007
PubMed

Insights

The retromer complex is crucial for Wnt secretion, working with Wntless (Wls). This study reveals retromer recycles Wls, ensuring proper Wnt signaling in development and disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Secreted Wnt proteins are vital for development and disease.
  • Wntless (Wls) and the retromer complex are implicated in Wnt signaling.
  • The precise role of the retromer complex in Wnt secretion remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Vps35, a retromer subunit, in Wnt signaling.
  • To elucidate the functional relationship between the retromer complex and Wntless (Wls) in Wnt secretion.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Drosophila and mammalian cell culture models.
  • Examined the colocalization and interaction of Vps35 and Wls.
  • Assessed Wnt secretion and Wls stability under varying retromer activity conditions.

Main Results:

  • Provided evidence that the retromer complex is essential for Wnt secretion.
  • Demonstrated that Vps35 colocalizes with and interacts with Wls in endosomes.
  • Showed that Wls stability is compromised in the absence of functional retromer.

Conclusions:

  • Established a link between Wntless and retromer functions within the Wnt secretion pathway.
  • Proposed a model where retromer facilitates Wnt secretion by recycling Wntless from endosomes to the trans-Golgi network (TGN).

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