Xwnt-5A: a maternal Wnt that affects morphogenetic movements after overexpression in embryos of Xenopus laevis

• DOI: 10.1242/dev.119.1.97
• Publication Date: 2021-04-26T01:20:07Z
• Authors: Randall T. Moon; Robert M. Campbell; Jan L. Christian; L. Lynn McGrew; John Shih; Scott Fraser
• Keywords: Blastula; Polarity in embryogenesis

ABSTRACT To contribute to an understanding of the roles and mechanisms action Wnts in early vertebrate development, we have characterized normal expression Xenopus laevis Wnt-5A, investigated consequences misexpression this putative signalling factor. Xwnt-5A transcripts are expressed throughout enriched both anterior posterior regions embryos at late stages where they found primarily ectoderm, with lower levels mesoderm. Overexpression leads complex mal-formations distinct from those achieved by ectopic Xwnts -1, -3A, or -8. This phenotype is unlikely result acting as inducing agent, overexpression does not rescue dorsal structures UV-irradiated embryos, induce mesoderm blastula caps, alter endogenous patterns goosecoid, Xbra, Xwnt-8. pursue whether has capacity affect morphogenetic movements, alters elongation cap explants induced activin. Intriguingly, blocks caps response activin, without blocking differentiation either ventral within these explants. The data consistent having potential activity modifying movements tissues.