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WNT5a in Tongue and Fungiform Papilla Development
Author(s) -
Liu HongXiang,
Grosse Ann M. Staubach,
Walton Katherine D.,
Saims Daniel A.,
Gumucio Deborah L.,
Mistretta Charlotte M.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04369.x
Subject(s) - lingual papilla , tongue , major duodenal papilla , sonic hedgehog , wnt signaling pathway , anatomy , biology , hedgehog , morphogenesis , microbiology and biotechnology , taste , neuroscience , signal transduction , genetics , pathology , medicine , gene
Fungiform papillae are complex taste organs that develop in a pattern on anterior tongue in rodent embryos. Several intrinsic secreted molecules are important for papilla development and patterning, including sonic hedgehog, bone morphogenetic proteins, Noggin, epidermal growth factor, and WNTs. Recent data about roles of WNTs in regulation of tongue and fungiform papilla development lead to new insights about the importance of tissue and timing contexts when studying the effects of morphogenetic proteins. WNT/β‐catenin signaling is required for formation of fungiform papillae, but not for determining tongue size and shape. In contrast, WNT5a apparently is important for tongue outgrowth, but not papilla development. Preliminary data from WNT5a mutant mice separate genetic programs for papilla number from those for tongue shape and size.