The IGF Pathway Regulates Head Formation by Inhibiting Wnt Signaling in Xenopus

The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are well known mitogens, both in vivo and in vitro, while functions in cellular differentiation have also been indicated. Here, we demonstrate a new role for the IGF pathway in regulating head formation in Xenopus embryos. Both IGF-1 and IGF-2, along with their...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Developmental biology 2002-04, Vol.244 (2), p.407-417
Main Authors: Richard-Parpaillon, Laurent, Héligon, Christophe, Chesnel, Franck, Boujard, Daniel, Philpott, Anna
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Body Patterning
ectopic eyes
Embryo, Nonmammalian - physiology
Eye - embryology
Female
Freshwater
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
Head - embryology
head induction
IGF
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - genetics
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - physiology
Insulin-Like Growth Factor II - genetics
Insulin-Like Growth Factor II - physiology
Mitogens - genetics
Morphogenesis
Oocytes - cytology
Oocytes - physiology
Proto-Oncogene Proteins - genetics
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
Signal Transduction - physiology
Wnt
Wnt Proteins
Xenopus
Xenopus - embryology
Xenopus - genetics
Zebrafish Proteins
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Summary:The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are well known mitogens, both in vivo and in vitro, while functions in cellular differentiation have also been indicated. Here, we demonstrate a new role for the IGF pathway in regulating head formation in Xenopus embryos. Both IGF-1 and IGF-2, along with their receptor IGF-1R, are expressed early during embryogenesis, and the IGF-1R is present particularly in anterior and dorsal structures. Overexpression of IGF-1 leads to anterior expansion of head neural tissue as well as formation of ectopic eyes and cement gland, while IGF-1 receptor depletion using antisense morpholino oligonucleotides drastically reduces head structures. Furthermore, we demonstrate that IGF signaling exerts this effect by antagonizing the activity of the Wnt signal transduction pathway in the early embryo, at the level of β-catenin. Thus, the IGF pathway is required for head formation during embryogenesis.
ISSN:0012-1606
1095-564X
DOI:10.1006/dbio.2002.0605