title: Effect of wnt-1 and related proteins on gap junctional communication in Xenopus embryos.
abstract: The proto-oncogene wnt-1 (previously referred to as int-1) is thought to be important in embryonic pattern formation although its mechanisms of action are unknown. Premature and increased expression of the Wnt-1 protein, achieved by injection of synthetic wnt-1 RNA into fertilized Xenopus eggs, enhanced gap junctional communication between ventral cells of the developing embryo. This result is consistent with the hypothesis that Wnt proteins activate a receptor-mediated signal transduction pathway and that gap junctional communication can be a target of this pathway. The effects of two Wnt-1-related proteins on gap junctional communication were also investigated: overexpression of Xwnt-8 increased gap junctional coupling in a manner similar to Wnt-1, whereas Xwnt-5A did not. These findings are consistent with the existence of multiple receptors for Wnt proteins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle 98195.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Christian
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Moon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001757:Blastomeres / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D002450:Cell Communication; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D011519:Proto-Oncogenes; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D051155:Wnt1 Protein; D014981:Xenopus; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins
chemical_list: D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; C495249:WNT1 protein, Xenopus; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D051155:Wnt1 Protein; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins; C495248:wnt8a protein, Xenopus; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases