title: Sfrp controls apicobasal polarity and oriented cell division in developing gut epithelium.
abstract: Epithelial tubular morphogenesis leading to alteration of organ shape has important physiological consequences. However, little is known regarding the mechanisms that govern epithelial tube morphogenesis. Here, we show that inactivation of Sfrp1 and Sfrp2 leads to reduction in fore-stomach length in mouse embryos, which is enhanced in the presence of the Sfrp5 mutation. In the mono-cell layer of fore-stomach epithelium, cell division is normally oriented along the cephalocaudal axis; in contrast, orientation diverges in the Sfrps-deficient fore-stomach. Cell growth and apoptosis are not affected in the Sfrps-deficient fore-stomach epithelium. Similarly, cell division orientation in fore-stomach epithelium diverges as a result of inactivation of either Stbm/Vangl2, an Fz/PCP component, or Wnt5a. These observations indicate that the oriented cell division, which is controlled by the Fz/PCP pathway, is one of essential components in fore-stomach morphogenesis. Additionally, the small intestine epithelium of Sfrps compound mutants fails to maintain proper apicobasal polarity; the defect was also observed in Wnt5a-inactivated small intestine. In relation to these findings, Sfrp1 physically interacts with Wnt5a and inhibits Wnt5a signaling. We propose that Sfrp regulation of Wnt5a signaling controls oriented cell division and apicobasal polarity in the epithelium of developing gut.
authors.affiliation: Vertebrate Body Plan, Center for Developmental Biology, RIKEN Kobe, Minatojima-Minami, Kobe, Japan.
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsuyama
authors.forename: Shinichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aizawa
authors.forename: Akihiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shimono
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division; D016764:Cell Polarity; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D009024:Morphogenesis; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013270:Stomach / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000071818:Wnt-5a Protein; D000094742:Secreted Frizzled-Related Proteins
chemical_list: D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D000071818:Wnt-5a Protein; C485539:Sfrp1 protein, mouse; D000094742:Secreted Frizzled-Related Proteins; C491628:Sfrp2 protein, mouse; C438615:Wnt5a protein, mouse