Signaling Specificity by Frizzled Receptors in Drosophila
Abstract
Wnt-Frizzled (Fz) signaling pathways play recurring important roles during the development and homeostasis of vertebrates and invertebrates. Fz receptors can signal through β-catenin-dependent and -independent pathways. In Drosophila, Fz and Fz2 are redundant receptors for Wg. In addition, Fz conveys signals through a distinct pathway to organize planar polarization of epithelial structures. We demonstrate that the cytoplasmic sequences of Fz2 and Fz preferentially activate the β-catenin and planar polarity cascade, respectively. Both receptors activate either pathway, but with different efficiencies. Intrinsic differences in signaling efficiency in closely related receptors might be a general mechanism for generating signaling specificity in vivo.
- Publication:
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Science
- Pub Date:
- June 2000
- DOI:
- 10.1126/science.288.5472.1825
- Bibcode:
- 2000Sci...288.1825B
- Keywords:
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- DEVELOPMENT