Molecular control of cell migration during Xenopus gastrulation by different Wnt signaling pathways

• Antragstellerin: Professorin Dr. Doris Wedlich (†)
• Fachliche Zuordnung: Entwicklungsbiologie
• Förderung: Förderung von 2009 bis 2015
• Projektkennung: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 58160712

Convergent extension (CE) movements of the dorsal mesoderm make a major contribution to shaping the dorsal body axis of vertebrate embryos. In our previous research we have identified the protocadherin XPAPC as a key molecule that is regulated by the Wnt-5A/Ror2 signaling cascade and interacts with the Wnt/PCP pathway to coordinate CE movements in Xenopus laevis. Our future research will focus on (1) further characterization of the novel Wnt-5A/Ror2 pathway, including identification of additional effector proteins, (2) the functional and molecular interconnection of both non-canonical Wnt-signaling pathways and (3) on their evolutionary conservation. The latter is a novel aspect that arises by the integration into the research unit. By interspecies functional studies the conservation of the physiological role of Wnt-5a/Ror2 and Wnt/PCP pathways will be addressed in processes of Hydra regeneration and mouse myocardial remodeling.

• DFG-Verfahren: Forschungsgruppen
• Teilprojekt zu: FOR 1036: Mechanisms, functions and evolution of Wnt-signaling pathways