Abstract
Convergent extension movements occur ubiquitously in animal development. This special type of cell movement is controlled by the Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway. Here we show that Xenopus paraxial protocadherin (XPAPC) functionally interacts with the Wnt/PCP pathway in the control of convergence and extension (CE) movements in Xenopus laevis. XPAPC functions as a signalling molecule that coordinates cell polarity of the involuting mesoderm in mediolateral orientation and thus selectively promotes convergence in CE movements. XPAPC signals through the small GTPases Rho A and Rac 1 and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Loss of XPAPC function blocks Rho A-mediated JNK activation. Despite common downstream components, XPAPC and Wnt/PCP signalling are not redundant, and the activity of both, XPAPC and PCP signalling, is required to coordinate CE movements.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Cadherins / genetics
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Cadherins / metabolism*
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Cell Polarity*
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Embryo, Nonmammalian / embryology
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Embryo, Nonmammalian / metabolism
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Enzyme Activation
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Gastrula / cytology
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Gastrula / metabolism
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In Situ Hybridization
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
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JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / genetics
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JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
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Protocadherins
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RNA, Messenger / genetics
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RNA, Messenger / metabolism
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Signal Transduction
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Wnt Proteins
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Xenopus Proteins
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Xenopus laevis / embryology*
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Xenopus laevis / genetics
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Xenopus laevis / metabolism*
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rac1 GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism
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rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / genetics
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rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*
Substances
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Cadherins
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Pcdh8 protein, Xenopus
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Protocadherins
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RNA, Messenger
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Wnt Proteins
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Xenopus Proteins
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JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
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rac1 GTP-Binding Protein
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rhoA GTP-Binding Protein