The status of Wnt signalling regulates neural and epidermal fates in the chick embryo

Sara Wilson, Anna Rydström, Tolleiv Trimborn, Karl Willert, Roel Nusse, Thomas M. Jessell and Thomas Edlund ()
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Sara Wilson: Umeå University
Anna Rydström: Umeå University
Tolleiv Trimborn: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Beckman Center
Karl Willert: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Beckman Center
Roel Nusse: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Beckman Center
Thomas M. Jessell: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University
Thomas Edlund: Umeå University

Nature, 2001, vol. 411, issue 6835, 325-330

Abstract: Abstract The acquisition of neural fate by embryonic ectodermal cells is a fundamental step in the formation of the vertebrate nervous system. Neural induction seems to involve signalling by fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and attenuation of the activity of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)1,2,3,4. But FGFs, either alone or in combination with BMP antagonists, are not sufficient to induce neural fate in prospective epidermal ectoderm of amniote embryos1,3,4. These findings suggest that additional signals are involved in the specification of neural fate. Here we show that the state of Wnt signalling is a critical determinant of neural and epidermal fates in the chick embryo. Continual Wnt signalling blocks the response of epiblast cells to FGF signals, permitting the expression and signalling of BMP to direct an epidermal fate. Conversely, a lack of exposure of epiblast cells to Wnt signals permits FGFs to induce a neural fate.

Date: 2001
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DOI: 10.1038/35077115

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