Multiple Wnts are involved in Hydra organizer formation and regeneration.
Wnt genes and beta-catenin signaling are involved in axial patterning processes in vertebrate embryogenesis in setting up the Spemann-Mangold organizer in amphibian embryos. An organizer with a similar function is present in the hypostome of an adult Hydra polyp. Previously, a Hydra ortholog of Wnt3 (HyWnt3), which is expressed in the hypostome, has been described. Here, ten additional Hydra Wnt genes have been identified. Of these, six (HyWnt1, -7, -9/10a, -9/10c, -11, and -16) are expressed in the adult hypostome. And, as is HyWnt3, these six Wnt genes are also expressed when a new head organizer is formed during head regeneration and bud formation. The kinetics of Wnt gene expressions during head regeneration suggests that a cascade of consecutive Wnt activation accompanies regeneration, and HyWnt3 begins this cascade. Recombinant HyWnt3 protein induced body column tissue to undergo head formation. It also increased the head formation capacity in the head regeneration-deficient mutant strain reg-16 to that of wild-type strains. In addition our data reveal striking similarities in the molecular basis of the organizer in Hydra and axis polarization in chordates (e.g. Spemann's organizer) as well as it's role in regeneration suggesting a conserved function of Wnt signaling in setting up this ancient metazoan signaling center.
Lengfeld
Tobias
T
Department of Molecular Evolution and Genomics, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, Heidelberg, Germany.
Watanabe
Hiroshi
H
Simakov
Oleg
O
Lindgens
Dirk
D
Gee
Lydia
L
Law
Lee
L
Schmidt
Heiko A
HA
Ozbek
Suat
S
Bode
Hans
H
Holstein
Thomas W
TW
D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000502:physiology; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000378:metabolism; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D006829:Hydra / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology*; D010802:Phylogeny; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D051153:Wnt Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin