Specification of an anterior neuroectoderm patterning by Frizzled8a-mediated Wnt8b signalling during late gastrulation in zebrafish

Seok Hyung Kim, Jimann Shin, Hae Chul Park, Sang Yeob Yeo, Sung Kook Hong, Sangtae Han, Myungchull Rhee, Cheol Hee Kim, Ajay B. Chitnis, Tae Lin Huh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

82 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Wnts have been shown to provide a posteriorizing signal that has to be repressed in the anterior neuroectoderm for normal anteroposterior (AP) patterning. We have previously identified a zebrafish frizzled8a (fz8a) gene expressed in the presumptive anterior neuroectoderm as well as prechordal plate at the late gastrula stage. We have investigated the role of Fz8a-mediated Wnt8b signalling in anterior brain patterning in zebrafish. We show that in zebrafish embryos: (1) Wnt signalling has at least two different stage-specific posteriorizing activities in the anterior neuroectoderm, one before mid-gastrulation and the other at late gastrulation; (2) Fz8a plays an important role in mediating anterior brain patterning; (3) Wnt8b and Fz8a can functionally interact to transmit posteriorizing signals that determine the fate of the posterior diencephalon and midbrain in late gastrula embryos; and (4) Wnt8b can suppress fz8a expression in the anterior neuroectoderm and potentially affect the level and/or range of Wnt signalling. In conclusion, we suggest that a gradient of Fz8a-mediated Wnt8b signalling may play crucial role in patterning the posterior diencephalon and midbrain regions in the late gastrula.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4443-4455
Number of pages13
JournalDevelopment
Volume129
Issue number19
Publication statusPublished - 2002 Oct
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Anterior neuroectoderm
  • Brain patterning
  • Diencephalon
  • Eye primordia
  • Fz8a
  • Midbrain
  • Wnt8b
  • Zebrafish

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology

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