Nucleoredoxin regulates the Wnt/planar cell polarity pathway in Xenopus

Genes Cells. 2008 Sep;13(9):965-75. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2443.2008.01220.x. Epub 2008 Aug 6.

Abstract

The Wnt signaling pathway is conserved across species, and is essential for early development. We previously identified nucleoredoxin (NRX) as a protein that interacts with dishevelled (Dvl) in vivo to negatively regulate the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway. However, whether NRX affects another branch of the Wnt pathway, the Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway, remains unclear. Here we show that NRX regulates the Wnt/PCP pathway. In Xenopus laevis, over-expression or depletion of NRX by injection of NRX mRNA or antisense morpholino oligonucleotide, respectively, yields the bent-axis phenotype that is typically observed in embryos with abnormal PCP pathway activity. In co-injection experiments of Dvl and NRX mRNA, NRX suppresses the Dvl-induced bent-axis phenotype. Over-expression or depletion of NRX also suppresses the convergent extension movements that are believed to underlie normal gastrulation. We also found that NRX can inhibit Dvl-induced up-regulation of c-Jun phosphorylation. These results indicate that NRX plays crucial roles in the Wnt/PCP pathway through Dvl and regulates Xenopus gastrulation movements.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Polarity / genetics*
  • Microinjections
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense / pharmacology
  • Oxidoreductases / genetics
  • Oxidoreductases / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Wnt Proteins / genetics
  • Wnt Proteins / metabolism*
  • Xenopus / genetics
  • Xenopus / metabolism*

Substances

  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Wnt Proteins
  • Oxidoreductases
  • nucleoredoxin