Canonical Wnt signalling regulates epithelial patterning by modulating levels of laminins in zebrafish appendages.

ABSTRACT: The patterning and morphogenesis of body appendages - such as limbs and fins - is orchestrated by the activities of several developmental pathways. Wnt signalling is essential for the induction of limbs. However, it is unclear whether a canonical Wnt signalling gradient exists and regulates the patterning of epithelium in vertebrate appendages. Using an evolutionarily old appendage - the median fin in zebrafish - as a model, we show that the fin epithelium exhibits graded changes in cellular morphology along the proximo-distal axis. This epithelial pattern is strictly correlated with the gradient of canonical Wnt signalling activity. By combining genetic analyses with cellular imaging, we show that canonical Wnt signalling regulates epithelial cell morphology by modulating the levels of la

SUBMITTER: Nagendran M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4302845 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature