Premium
Lens morphogenesis is dependent on Pax6‐mediated inhibition of the canonical Wnt/beta‐catenin signaling in the lens surface ectoderm
Author(s) -
Machon Ondrej,
Kreslova Jana,
Ruzickova Jana,
Vacik Tomas,
Klimova Lucie,
Fujimura Naoko,
Lachova Jitka,
Kozmik Zbynek
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
genesis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.093
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1526-968X
pISSN - 1526-954X
DOI - 10.1002/dvg.20583
Subject(s) - wnt signaling pathway , ectoderm , dkk1 , neuroectoderm , lens (geology) , microbiology and biotechnology , pax6 , biology , retina , beta catenin , eye development , embryogenesis , signal transduction , mesoderm , genetics , embryo , embryonic stem cell , neuroscience , gene , paleontology , transcription factor , phenotype
Lens formation in mouse is critically dependent on proper development of the retinal neuroectoderm that is located close beneath the head surface ectoderm. Signaling from the prospective retina triggers lens‐specific gene expression in the surface‐ectoderm. Supression of canonical Wnt/β‐catenin signaling in the surface ectoderm is one of the prerequisites for lens development because, as we show here, ectopic Wnt activation in the retina and lens abrogates lens formation. Wnt inhibiton is mediated by signals coming from the retina but its exact mechanism is unknown. We show that Pax6 directly controls expression of several Wnt inhibitors such as Sfrp1, Sfrp2, and Dkk1 in the presumptive lens. In accordance, absence of Pax6 function leads to aberrant canonical Wnt activity in the presumptive lens that subsequently impairs lens development. Thus Pax6 is required for down‐regulation of canonical Wnt signaling in the presumptive lens ectoderm. genesis 48:86–95, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.