We provide genetic evidence defining a role for noncanonical Wnt function in vertebrate axis formation. In zebrafish, misexpression of Wnt-4, -5, and -11 stimulates calcium (Ca2+) release, defining the Wnt/Ca2+ class. We describe genetic interaction between two Wnt/Ca2+ members, Wnt-5 (pipetail) and Wnt-11 (silberblick), and a reduction of Ca2+ release in Wnt-5/pipetail. Embryos genetically dep...

The shape of marine protected areas (MPAs) aimed for fisheries goals should be small enough to allow spillover adult fished species as well larval and juvenile species. Such consideration was applied during the establishment Liang-Ngali Island MPA in West Nusa Tenggara (WNT), Indonesia, which mainly developed support activities around it. In WNT, biologically diverse coastal ecosystems have bee...

The observed genetic alterations of various extracellular and intracellular WNT (Wingless, Int-1 proto-oncogene) signaling components can result in an increase or decrease in gene expression, and hence can be obstructed proficiently. These genetics target sites may include the prevention of WNT-FZD (Frizzled) binding, destruction of β-catenin and formation of Axin, APC and GSK-3β complex. Hence...

The Wnt-signaling pathway regulates β-cell functions. It is not known how the expression of endogenous Wnt-signaling molecules is regulated in β-cells. Therefore, we investigated the effect of antidiabetic drugs and glucose on the expression of Wnt-signaling molecules in β-cells. Primary islets were isolated and cultured. The expression of Wnt-signaling molecules (Wnt-4, Wnt-10b, Frizzled-4, LR...

BACKGROUND WNT signalling is activated during lung tissue damage and inflammation. We investigated whether lung epithelial expression of WNT ligands, receptors (frizzled; FZD) or target genes is dysregulated on cigarette smoking and/or in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS We studied this in human lung epithelial cell lines and primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBEC) from...

The hematopoietic system is derived from ventral mesoderm. A number of genes that are important in mesoderm development have been identified including members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily, the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family, and the Wnt gene family. Because TGF-beta plays a pleiotropic role in hematopoiesis, we wished to determine if other genes that are ...

Wnt signaling is involved in many aspects of development and in the homeostasis of stem cells. Its importance is underscored by the fact that misregulation of Wnt signaling has been implicated in numerous diseases, especially colorectal cancer. However, how Wnt signaling regulates itself is not well understood. There are several Wnt negative feedback regulators, which are active antagonists of ...

Abnormal inactivation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is involved in skin diseases like androgenetic alopecia, vitiligo and canities, but small-molecule activators are rarely described. In this study, we investigated stimulatory effects escin on canonical cultured human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs). Escin stimulated signaling, resulting increased β-catenin lymphoid enhancer-binding facto...

Wnt/Frizzled (Fz) signaling controls cell polarity/movements during vertebrate gastrulation via incompletely defined mechanisms. We demonstrated previously that Wnt/Fz activation of Rho, a GTPase and regulator of cytoskeletal architecture, is essential for vertebrate gastrulation. Here we report that in mammalian cells and Xenopus embryos, Wnt/Fz signaling coactivates Rho and Rac, another GTPas...