Disc1 regulates both β-catenin-mediated and noncanonical Wnt signaling during vertebrate embryogenesis.

ABSTRACT: Disc1 is a schizophrenia risk gene that engages multiple signaling pathways during neurogenesis and brain development. Using the zebrafish as a tool, we analyze the function of zebrafish Disc1 (zDisc1) at the earliest stages of brain and body development. We define a "tool" as a biological system that gives insight into mechanisms underlying a human disorder, although the system does not phenocopy the disorder. A zDisc1 peptide binds to GSK3β, and zDisc1 directs early brain development and neurogenesis, by promoting β-catenin-mediated Wnt signaling and inhibiting GSK3β activity. zDisc1 loss-of-function embryos additionally display a convergence and extension phenotype, demonstrated by abnormal movement of dorsolateral cells during gastrulation, through changes in gene expression, and later

SUBMITTER: De Rienzo G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3236629 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature