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The planar cell polarity pathway directs parietal endoderm migration
Kristi LaMonica1, Maya Bass, Laura Grabel
1Department of Biology, Wesleyan University, Hall-Atwater Laboratories, Lawn Avenue, Middletown, CT 06459, USA.
Developmental Biology
|March 25, 2009
Summary
The non-canonical Wnt planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway directs parietal endoderm (PE) cell migration via Rho/ROCK. Disrupting this pathway increases migration but reduces cell orientation, highlighting its role in directed movement.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Cell biology
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Parietal endoderm (PE) is the first migratory cell type in mammalian embryos.
- PE contributes to yolk sac formation.
- Understanding PE migration is crucial for developmental processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms directing parietal endoderm (PE) cell migration.
- To determine the role of the Wnt planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway in PE migration.
- To elucidate the involvement of Rho/ROCK signaling in PE cell orientation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the F9 teratocarcinoma embryoid body outgrowth system for in vitro PE migration visualization.
- Assessed cell orientation using Golgi apparatus localization and microtubule orientation.
- Perturbed Wnt signaling with sFRP and inhibited the PCP pathway via Daam1.
- Investigated the effect of constitutively active Daam and ROCK inhibition.
Main Results:
- In control outgrowths, 68.6% of PE cells were oriented in the direction of migration.
- sFRP treatment and Daam1 inhibition disrupted cell orientation and increased migration.
- Constitutively active Daam partially rescued orientation defects caused by sFRP.
- ROCK inhibition increased cell migration but resulted in a lack of oriented migration.
Conclusions:
- The non-canonical Wnt planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway, acting through Rho/ROCK, directs parietal endoderm (PE) cell migration and orientation.
- Disruption of the PCP pathway leads to increased, but disoriented, cell migration.
- Canonical Wnt signaling and the Rac arm of the PCP pathway do not appear to be critical for PE oriented migration.
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