Mech Dev October 1, 1995; 53 (2): 261-73.

Induction of a secondary embryonic axis in zebrafish occurs following the overexpression of beta-catenin.

Abstract
Formation of the vertebrate axis may involve a Wnt signaling cascade similar to the Drosophila wingless pathway. Zebrafish wnt8 is a candidate for involvement in axis specification insofar as it is expressed maternally and when overexpressed it can induce goosecoid, a transcription factor normally expressed in the embryonic shield. In this study we demonstrate that beta-catenin, a cadherin associated protein in the Wnt pathway, is expressed maternally in zebrafish and is widely distributed in the early embryo. Overexpressing beta-catenin in early zebrafish embryos induces goosecoid and ntl, ultimately leading to a duplication of a complete secondary axis. These data are consistent with the involvement of beta-catenin in a Wnt signaling pathway which is involved in mesoderm induction in zebrafish.

PubMed ID: 8562427
Article link: Mech Dev
Grant support: [+]

Species referenced: Xenopus laevis
Genes referenced: gsc tbxt wnt8a