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The Wave complex controls epidermal morphogenesis and proliferation by suppressing Wnt-Sox9 signaling
Jonathan Cohen1, Shaul Raviv1, Orit Adir1
1Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
The Journal of Cell Biology
|March 15, 2019
Summary
The Wave complex, including ABI1 and Wave2 proteins, is crucial for skin epidermis development. Loss of these proteins causes abnormal skin growth and hair follicle issues by affecting actin, Wnt, and SOX9 signaling.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Signaling
- Skin Biology
Background:
- Skin epidermis development relies on precise signaling pathway control.
- Mechanisms orchestrating skin development are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Wave complex proteins (ABI1 and Wave2) in skin development.
- To elucidate the signaling pathways regulated by the Wave complex in the epidermis.
Main Methods:
- In utero RNAi-mediated silencing of Abi1 or Wasf2.
- Analysis of epidermal architecture, cell proliferation, and hair follicle growth.
- SOX9 expression analysis and forced overexpression studies.
- Wnt signaling pathway assessment and actin content measurement.
Main Results:
- Silencing Abi1 or Wasf2 led to epidermal hyperproliferation and architectural defects.
- Mutant embryos showed delayed hair follicle growth and aberrant SOX9 expression.
- Wave complex loss-of-function upregulated Wnt signaling and decreased actin levels.
- Reduced actin levels were sufficient to enhance Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
Conclusions:
- The Wave complex plays a key role in regulating epidermal shape and growth.
- Wave complex, actin, Wnt, and SOX9 signaling are interconnected in skin development.
- This study identifies a novel regulatory mechanism in skin development involving the Wave complex.
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