Distinct β-catenins mediate adhesion and signalling functions in C. elegans

Hendrik C. Korswagen (), Michael A. Herman and Hans C. Clevers
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Hendrik C. Korswagen: Department of Immunology
Michael A. Herman: Program in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Kansas State University
Hans C. Clevers: Department of Immunology

Nature, 2000, vol. 406, issue 6795, 527-532

Abstract: Abstract In flies and vertebrates, Armadillo/β-catenin forms a complex with Tcf/Lef-1 transcription factors, serving as an essential co-activator to mediate Wnt signalling. It also associates with cadherins to mediate adhesion. In Caenorhabditis elegans, three putative β-catenin homologues have been identified: WRM-1, BAR-1 and HMP-2. WRM-1 and the Tcf homologue POP-1 mediate Wnt signalling by a mechanism that has challenged current views of the Wnt pathway1,2,3. Here we show that BAR-1 is the only β-catenin homologue that interacts directly with POP-1. BAR-1 mediates Wnt signalling by forming a BAR-1/POP-1 bipartite transcription factor that activates expression of Wnt target genes such as the Hox gene mab-5. HMP-2 is the only β-catenin homologue that interacts with the single cadherin of C. elegans, HMR-1. We conclude that a canonical Wnt pathway exists in C. elegans. Furthermore, our analysis shows that the functions of C. elegans β-catenins in adhesion and in signalling are performed by separate proteins.

Date: 2000
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DOI: 10.1038/35020099

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