title: Wnt signaling: multiple functions in neural development.
abstract: Wnt signaling has proven to be essential for neural development at various stages and across species. Wnts are involved in morphogenesis and patterning, and their proliferation-promoting role is a key function in stem cell maintenance and the expansion of progenitor pools. Moreover, Wnt signaling is involved in differentiation processes and lineage decision events during both central and peripheral nervous system development. Additionally, several reports point to a role of Wnt signaling in axon guidance and neurite outgrowth. This article reviews and consolidates the existing evidence for the functions of Wnt signaling in neural development.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ille
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sommer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000502:physiology; D049108:Cell Enlargement; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009420:Nervous System / Q000196:embryology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D051153:Wnt Proteins
chemical_list: D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D051153:Wnt Proteins