Unknown

Dataset Information

0

Neural crest cells organize the eye via TGF-? and canonical Wnt signalling.

ABSTRACT: In vertebrates, the lens and retina arise from different embryonic tissues raising the question of how they are aligned to form a functional eye. Neural crest cells are crucial for this process: in their absence, ectopic lenses develop far from the retina. Here we show, using the chick as a model system, that neural crest-derived transforming growth factor-?s activate both Smad3 and canonical Wnt signalling in the adjacent ectoderm to position the lens next to the retina. They do so by controlling Pax6 activity: although Smad3 may inhibit Pax6 protein function, its sustained downregulation requires transcriptional repression by Wnt-initiated ?-catenin. We propose that the same neural crest-dependent signalling mechanism is used repeatedly to integrate different components of the eye and suggest a general role for the neural crest in coordinating central and peripheral parts of the sensory nervous system.

SUBMITTER: Grocott T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3104559 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

Json Xml
altmetric image

Publications

Neural crest cells organize the eye via TGF-β and canonical Wnt signalling.

Grocott Timothy T   Johnson Samuel S   Bailey Andrew P AP   Streit Andrea A  

Nature communications 20110101

In vertebrates, the lens and retina arise from different embryonic tissues raising the question of how they are aligned to form a functional eye. Neural crest cells are crucial for this process: in their absence, ectopic lenses develop far from the retina. Here we show, using the chick as a model system, that neural crest-derived transforming growth factor-βs activate both Smad3 and canonical Wnt signalling in the adjacent ectoderm to position the lens next to the retina. They do so by controlli  ...[more]