Cadherins and catenins, Wnts and SOXs: embryonic patterning in Xenopus.
Wnt signaling plays a critical role in a wide range of developmental and oncogenic processes. Altered gene regulation by the canonical Wnt signaling pathway involves the cytoplasmic stabilization of beta-catenin, a protein critical to the assembly of cadherin-based cell-cell adherence junctions. In addition to binding to cadherins, beta-catenin also interacts with transcription factors of the TCF-subfamily of HMG box proteins and regulates their activity. The Xenopus embryo has proven to be a particularly powerful experimental system in which to study the role of Wnt signaling components in development and differentiation. We review this literature, focusing on the role of Wnt signaling and interacting components in establishing patterns within the early embryo.
St Amand
A L
AL
Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder 80309, USA.
Klymkowsky
M W
MW
D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics*; D015820:Cadherins / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics*; D006609:High Mobility Group Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics*; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin
C495266:CTNNB1 protein, Xenopus; D015820:Cadherins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D006609:High Mobility Group Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors; C490905:Sox1 protein, Xenopus; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin