Knockout mouse models to study Wnt signal transduction.
Wnt signal transduction is crucial for maintaining the balance between proliferation and differentiation throughout embryogenesis and postnatal life. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the conventional knockout mouse studies of both the canonical and the noncanonical Wnt pathways during mammalian development. Many of these knockout mice display early embryonic lethality, underscoring the fundamental importance of Wnt signal transduction, but precluding functional analyses at later stages. Use of conditional or inducible mouse models will enable us to study the role of Wnt signaling during later stages of development and adult life. Furthermore, genomic-scale approaches and advanced imaging techniques could provide a means to start dissecting the mechanism behind the observed phenotypes.
van Amerongen
Renée
R
Netherlands Cancer Institute, Division of Molecular Genetics and Center for Biomedical Genetics, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Berns
Anton
A
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D016678:Genome; D008024:Ligands; D051821:Lymphoid Enhancer-Binding Factor 1 / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008954:Models, Biological; D010641:Phenotype; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051820:TCF Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*
D008024:Ligands; D051821:Lymphoid Enhancer-Binding Factor 1; D051820:TCF Transcription Factors; D051153:Wnt Proteins