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Wnt signaling polarizes an early C. elegans blastomere to distinguish endoderm from mesoderm

C J Thorpe1, A Schlesinger, J C Carter

  • 1Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene 97403, USA.

Cell
|August 22, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Five genes (mom-1 to mom-5) are crucial for endoderm development in C. elegans. This Wnt signaling pathway regulates cell polarity and gene expression in early embryonic blastomeres.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • A polarizing signal at the 4-cell stage in C. elegans directs the EMS blastomere to produce endoderm.
  • The molecular mechanisms governing this asymmetric cell fate determination are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify genes essential for endoderm production by the EMS blastomere in C. elegans.
  • To elucidate the role of signaling pathways in establishing cell polarity during early embryogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Forward genetic screen to identify mutations affecting endoderm development.
  • Analysis of gene function in specific blastomeres (P2 signaling cell and EMS).
  • Examination of mitotic spindle orientation in mutant embryos.

Main Results:

  • Identified 16 mutations in five genes (mom-1 to mom-5) required for EMS-induced endoderm production.
  • mom-1, mom-2, and mom-3 function in the P2 signaling cell, while mom-4 acts in the EMS blastomere.
  • P2 signaling downregulates the HMG domain protein POP-1 in an EMS daughter cell.
  • mom-2 encodes a Wnt family member, suggesting a conserved signaling pathway.
  • Mutations disrupt mitotic spindle orientation, indicating a role for Wnt signaling in cytoskeletal polarity across early blastomeres.

Conclusions:

  • The MOM genes, including a Wnt pathway component, are critical for asymmetric endoderm specification in C. elegans.
  • Wnt signaling, mediated by P2-derived signals, influences POP-1 levels and cytoskeletal polarity in the EMS lineage.
  • This pathway impacts cell polarity in multiple blastomeres during early embryonic development.

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