Apc1-mediated antagonism of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling is required for retino-tectal pathfinding in the zebrafish.
The tumor suppressor Apc1 is an intracellular antagonist of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway. We examined the effects of an Apc1 loss-of-function mutation on retino-tectal axon pathfinding in zebrafish. In apc mutants, the retina is disorganized and optic nerves portray pathfinding defects at the optic chiasm and do not project properly to the tectum. Wild-type cells, transplanted into mutant retinae, acquire retinal ganglion cell fate and project axons that cross at the mispositioned optic chiasm and extend to the contralateral tectum, suggesting a function of apc1 in axon pathfinding. These defects are caused mainly by stabilization of beta-catenin. These data demonstrate that Apc1 function is required for correct patterning of the retina and proper retinal ganglion axon projections.
Paridaen
Judith T M L
JT
Hubrecht Institute, Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research, KNAW and University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Danesin
Catherine
C
Elas
Abu Tufayal
AT
van de Water
Sandra
S
Houart
Corinne
C
Zivkovic
Danica
D
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian; D009154:Mutation; D009900:Optic Nerve; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D003336:Tectum Mesencephali / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000196:embryology*; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism*
D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins; C541913:apc protein, zebrafish; D051176:beta Catenin