We have identified the Drosophila UDP-glucose dehydrogenase gene as being involved in wingless signaling. Mutations in this gene, called kiwi, generate a phenotype identical to that of wingless. UDP-glucose dehydrogenase is required for the biosynthesis of UDP-glucuronate, which in turn is utilized in the biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycans. By rescuing the kiwi phenotype with both UDP-glucuronate and the glycosaminoglycan heparan sulfate, we show that kiwi function in the embryo is crucial for the production of heparan sulfate in the extracellular matrix. Further, injection of heparin degrading enzyme, heparinase (and not chondroitin, dermatan or hyaluronic acid degrading enzyme) into wild-type embryos leads to the degradation of heparin-like glycosaminoglycans and a ‘wingless-like’ cuticular phenotype. Our study thus provides the first genetic evidence for the involvement of heparin-like glycosaminoglycans in signal transduction.
Genetic evidence that heparin-like glycosaminoglycans are involved in wingless signaling
R.C. Binari, B.E. Staveley, W.A. Johnson, R. Godavarti, R. Sasisekharan, A.S. Manoukian; Genetic evidence that heparin-like glycosaminoglycans are involved in wingless signaling. Development 1 July 1997; 124 (13): 2623–2632. doi: https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.124.13.2623
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Development presents...
Our successful webinar series continues in 2021, with early-career researchers presenting their papers and a chance to virtually network with the developmental biology community afterwards. Here, Krisztina Ötvös tells us about the role link between nitrogen, auxin and root cell divisions.
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The people behind the papers - Vincent Mouilleau, Célia Vaslin and Stéphane Nedelec
First authors, Vincent Mouilleau and Célia Vaslin, and their supervisor Stéphane Nedelec, talk about their latest work on HOX regulation, its potential clinical impact and where the story will take the Nedelec lab.
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The Immune System in Development and Regeneration
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Submission deadline: 1 September 2021
Publication: Spring 2022
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