Wnt/β-catenin signaling induces axial elasticity patterns of Hydra extracellular matrix

• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106416
• Publication Date: 2023-03-16T07:32:38Z
• Authors: Mariam Veschgini; Ryo Suzuki; Svenja Kling; Hendrik O. Petersen; Bruno Gideon Berg...; Wasim Abuillan; Philipp Linke; Stefan Kaufmann; Manfred Burghammer; Ulrike Engel; Frank Stein; Suat Özbek; Thomas W. Holstein; Motomu Tanaka
• Keywords: Lernaean Hydra

The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays crucial roles in animal development and diseases. Here, we report that Wnt/β-catenin signaling induces the ECM remodeling during Hydra axis formation. We determined micro- nanoscopic arrangement of fibrillar type I collagen along Hydra's body using high-resolution microscopy X-ray scattering. Elasticity mapping ex vivo revealed distinctive elasticity patterns axis. A proteomic analysis showed these correlate with a gradient-like distribution metalloproteases Activation pathway wild-type transgenic animals alters toward low patterns. This suggests mechanism whereby high protease activity under control causes softening ECM. Wnt-dependent spatiotemporal coordination biochemical biomechanical cues formation was likely central evolutionary innovation for tissue morphogenesis.