Paraxial protocadherin coordinates cell polarity during convergent extension via Rho A and JNK.
Convergent extension movements occur ubiquitously in animal development. This special type of cell movement is controlled by the Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway. Here we show that Xenopus paraxial protocadherin (XPAPC) functionally interacts with the Wnt/PCP pathway in the control of convergence and extension (CE) movements in Xenopus laevis. XPAPC functions as a signalling molecule that coordinates cell polarity of the involuting mesoderm in mediolateral orientation and thus selectively promotes convergence in CE movements. XPAPC signals through the small GTPases Rho A and Rac 1 and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Loss of XPAPC function blocks Rho A-mediated JNK activation. Despite common downstream components, XPAPC and Wnt/PCP signalling are not redundant, and the activity of both, XPAPC and PCP signalling, is required to coordinate CE movements.
Unterseher
Frank
F
Universität Karlsruhe, Zoologisches Institut II, Karlsruhe, Germany.
Hefele
Joerg A
JA
Giehl
Klaudia
K
De Robertis
Eddy M
EM
Wedlich
Doris
D
Schambony
Alexandra
A
D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016764:Cell Polarity; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D005775:Gastrula / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000091363:Protocadherins; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020830:rac1 GTP-Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D015820:Cadherins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C117635:Pcdh8 protein, Xenopus; D000091363:Protocadherins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D020830:rac1 GTP-Binding Protein; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein