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Fluorescent Calcium Imaging and Subsequent In Situ Hybridization for Neuronal Precursor Characterization in Xenopus laevis
Published on: February 18, 2020
Calcium/NFAT signalling promotes early nephrogenesis
1MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics & Molecular Medicine, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK. sb3158@columbia.edu
Developmental Biology
|February 8, 2011
Summary
Canonical Wnt signaling is not active in early kidney development. Instead, the non-canonical Calcium/NFAT pathway is crucial for nephrogenesis, potentially acting downstream of Wnt4.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Wnt genes are essential for early kidney development.
- Canonical β-catenin signaling is typically assumed to mediate Wnt gene function.
- The role of non-canonical Wnt signaling in nephrogenesis remains less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of canonical versus non-canonical Wnt signaling in early kidney development.
- To identify the specific Wnt signaling pathway active during nephrogenesis.
- To explore the involvement of the Calcium/NFAT pathway in renal development.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Wnt gene expression during murine kidney morphogenesis.
- Immunolocalization of NFATc3 in developing nephrons.
- Functional studies using Cyclosporin A (CSA) and Ionomycin on kidney rudiments.
- Phenotypic analysis of Wnt4(-/-) embryos and kidneys.
Main Results:
- Canonical Wnt signaling was found to be inactive in the early nephrogenic metanephric mesenchyme.
- Members of the Nuclear Factor Activated in T cells (NFAT) transcription factor family are expressed during kidney morphogenesis.
- NFATc3 localizes to developing nephrons.
- Inhibition of Calcium/NFAT signaling with CSA decreased nephron formation.
- Activation of the Calcium/NFAT pathway with Ionomycin partially rescued the phenotype in Wnt4(-/-) kidneys.
Conclusions:
- The non-canonical Calcium/NFAT Wnt signaling pathway is active and plays a significant role in early mammalian renal development.
- This pathway is essential for complete mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) during nephrogenesis.
- The Calcium/NFAT pathway may function downstream of Wnt4 in the nephrogenesis process.
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