Wnt secretion and gradient formation.

Details

Ressource 1Download: BIB_1BA76CCD0EFB.P001.pdf (1372.72 [Ko])
State: Public
Version: author
Serval ID
serval:BIB_1BA76CCD0EFB
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Wnt secretion and gradient formation.
Journal
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Author(s)
Solis G.P., Lüchtenborg A.M., Katanaev V.L.
ISSN
1422-0067 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
1422-0067
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2013
Volume
14
Number
3
Pages
5130-5145
Language
english
Abstract
Concentration gradients formed by the lipid-modified morphogens of the Wnt family are known for their pivotal roles during embryogenesis and adult tissue homeostasis. Wnt morphogens are also implicated in a variety of human diseases, especially cancer. Therefore, the signaling cascades triggered by Wnts have received considerable attention during recent decades. However, how Wnts are secreted and how concentration gradients are formed remains poorly understood. The use of model organisms such as Drosophila melanogaster has provided important advances in this area. For instance, we have previously shown that the lipid raft-associated reggie/flotillin proteins influence Wnt secretion and spreading in Drosophila. Our work supports the notion that producing cells secrete Wnt molecules in at least two pools: a poorly diffusible one and a reggie/flotillin-dependent highly diffusible pool which allows morphogen spreading over long distances away from its source of production. Here we revise the current views of Wnt secretion and spreading, and propose two models for the role of the reggie/flotillin proteins in these processes: (i) reggies/flotillins regulate the basolateral endocytosis of the poorly diffusible, membrane-bound Wnt pool, which is then sorted and secreted to apical compartments for long-range diffusion, and (ii) lipid rafts organized by reggies/flotillins serve as "dating points" where extracellular Wnt transiently interacts with lipoprotein receptors to allow its capture and further spreading via lipoprotein particles. We further discuss these processes in the context of human breast cancer. A better understanding of these phenomena may be relevant for identification of novel drug targets and therapeutic strategies.
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
03/05/2013 20:49
Last modification date
20/10/2020 11:08
Usage data