Focal adhesion kinase protein regulates Wnt3a gene expression to control cell fate specification in the developing neural plate.

ABSTRACT: Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase protein localized to regions called focal adhesions, which are contact points between cells and the extracellular matrix. FAK protein acts as a scaffold to transfer adhesion-dependent and growth factor signals into the cell. Increased FAK expression is linked to aggressive metastatic and invasive tumors. However, little is known about its normal embryonic function. FAK protein knockdown during early Xenopus laevis development anteriorizes the embryo. Morphant embryos express increased levels of anterior neural markers, with reciprocally reduced posterior neural marker expression. Posterior neural plate folding and convergence-extension is also inhibited. This anteriorized phenotype resembles that of embryos knocked down zygotical

SUBMITTER: Fonar Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3128541 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature