Genome-wide identification of Wnt/?-catenin transcriptional targets during Xenopus gastrulation.

ABSTRACT: The canonical Wnt/?-catenin signaling pathway plays multiple roles during Xenopus gastrulation, including posteriorization of the neural plate, patterning of the mesoderm, and induction of the neural crest. Wnt signaling stabilizes ?-catenin, which then activates target genes. However, few targets of this signaling pathway that mediate early developmental processes are known. Here we sought to identify transcriptional targets of the Wnt/?-catenin signaling pathway using a genome-wide approach. We selected putative targets using the criteria of reduced expression upon zygotic Wnt knockdown, ?-catenin binding within 50kb of the gene, and expression in tissues that receive Wnt signaling. Using these criteria, we found 21 novel direct transcriptional targets of Wnt/?-catenin signaling during gastrulation and in addition have identified putative regulatory elements for further characterization in future studies.

SUBMITTER: Kjolby RAS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6288011 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature