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Filopodia-based Wnt transport during vertebrate tissue patterning.
Eliana Stanganello1, Anja I H Hagemann1, Benjamin Mattes1
1Institute of Toxicology and Genetics (ITG), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz Platz 1, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany.
Nature Communications
|January 6, 2015
Summary
Wnt proteins travel on cellular protrusions called filopodia, extending their signaling range during zebrafish development. This filopodia-based transport is crucial for neural plate patterning.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Cell signaling
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Wnt/β-catenin signaling is vital for development, regeneration, and stem cell regulation.
- Wnt proteins act as morphogens, forming concentration gradients.
- Vertebrate Wnt transport mechanisms remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the transport mechanism of Wnt proteins in vertebrates.
- To elucidate the role of filopodia in Wnt signaling.
- To understand Wnt8a's function in zebrafish neural plate formation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized zebrafish as a model organism.
- Investigated Wnt8a transport on actin-based filopodia.
- Examined the role of Cdc42/N-Wasp in filopodia formation.
- Employed computational simulation to model Wnt transport.
Main Results:
- Wnt8a is transported on actin-based filopodia to activate signaling in responding cells.
- Cdc42/N-Wasp regulates Wnt-positive filopodia formation.
- Enhanced filopodia formation expands Wnt's signaling range.
- Reduced filopodia restricts Wnt distribution and signaling range.
Conclusions:
- Filopodia-based transport facilitates Wnt spreading and extends signaling range.
- A filopodia-mediated Wnt transport system controls neural plate anteroposterior patterning.
- This mechanism is essential for vertebrate gastrulation and development.
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