Wnt2 Regulates Progenitor Proliferation in the Developing Ventral Midbrain
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| Authors |
SOUSA Kyle
VILLAESCUSA Carlos
ČAJÁNEK Lukáš
ONDR Jennifer
CASTELO-BRANCO Goncalo
HOFSTRA Wytske
BRYJA Vítězslav
PALMBERG Carina
BERGMAN Tomas
WAINWRIGHT Brandon
LANG Richard
ARENAS Ernest
|
| Year of publication |
2010 |
| Type |
Article in Periodical
|
| Magazine / Source |
Journal of Biological Chemistry |
| MU Faculty or unit |
Faculty of Science
|
| Citation |
|
| Doi |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M109.079822 |
| Field |
Genetics and molecular biology |
| Keywords |
Wnt2; dopaminergic neuron; ventral midbrain
|
| Description |
Wnts are secreted, lipidated proteins that regulate multiple aspects of brain development, including dopaminergic neuron development. In this study, we perform the first purification and signaling analysis of Wnt2 and define the function of Wnt2 in ventral midbrain precursor cultures, as well as in Wnt2-null mice in vivo. We found that purified Wnt2 induces the phosphorylation of both Lrp5/6 and Dvl-2/3, and activates beta-catenin in SN4741 dopaminergic cells. Moreover, purified Wnt2 increases progenitor proliferation, and the number of dopaminergic neurons in ventral midbrain precursor cultures. In agreement with these findings, analysis of the ventral midbrain of developing Wnt2-null mice revealed a decrease in progenitor proliferation and neurogenesis that lead to a decrease in the number of postmitotic precursors and dopaminergic neurons. Collectively, our observations identify Wnt2 as a novel regulator of dopaminergic progenitors and dopaminergic neuron development.
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