Orchestration of stem- and EMT-like phenotypes by Wnt signaling (B06)

• Subject Area: Cell Biology ; Developmental Biology
• Term: since 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 331351713

Our previous work demonstrated that the quiescence state of healthy neural stem cells correlates with high cnWNT activity. This deep quiescence is maintained by a distinct DNA methylome. In healthy stem cells, exit of quiescence involves methylome remodeling and expression of Wnt antagonists sFRP1 and Notum. In malignant glioblastoma cells, forced sFRP1 expression remodels the DNA methylome, induces deep quiescence and extends survival in preclinical glioblastoma- models. Key questions remain about whether tumors compensate for SFRP1-induced quiescence via self-renewal, how stable this state is, and if the impact of Wnt modulatory strategy is influenced by the location of the tumor in the brain.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1324: Mechanisms and functions of Wnt signaling
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Project Head: Professorin Dr. Ana Martin-Villalba