Molecular genetic studies of Wnt signaling in the mouse

M Uusitalo, M Heikkilä, S Vainio - Experimental cell research, 1999 - Elsevier
M Uusitalo, M Heikkilä, S Vainio
Experimental cell research, 1999Elsevier
Inductive signals regulate morphogenesis from early stages onward throughout
embryogenesis. Several secreted inductive signals have been identified in recent years and
classified according to their structure. These families include fibroblast growth factors (FGF),
transforming growth factors-ß (TGF-ß), the Hedgehogs (Hh), and the Wnts. All these encode
secreted factors and can mediate autocrine or paracrine signaling to short-or long-range
distances and regulate cell behavior. Different from that of other growth factors, analysis of …
Inductive signals regulate morphogenesis from early stages onward throughout embryogenesis. Several secreted inductive signals have been identified in recent years and classified according to their structure. These families include fibroblast growth factors (FGF), transforming growth factors-ß (TGF-ß), the Hedgehogs (Hh), and the Wnts. All these encode secreted factors and can mediate autocrine or paracrine signaling to short-or long-range distances and regulate cell behavior. Different from that of other growth factors, analysis of developmental functions of Wnts has been limited because of the lack of soluble and biologically active mammalian Wnt proteins. However, functional genomics, generation of the mouse mutants, has turned out to be a fruitful approach to studying activities of Wnts during embryogenesis. Here we review the developmental functions of Wnts for which genetic studies in the mouse have revealed important roles throughout development.
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