| First Author | Lucas FR | Year | 1997 |
| Journal | Dev Biol | Volume | 192 |
| Issue | 1 | Pages | 31-44 |
| PubMed ID | 9405095 | Mgi Jnum | J:45351 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:1195230 | Doi | 10.1006/dbio.1997.8734 |
| Citation | Lucas FR, et al. (1997) WNT-7a induces axonal remodeling and increases synapsin I levels in cerebellar neurons. Dev Biol 192(1):31-44 |
| abstractText | WNT factors play a key role in early patterning of the embryo. However, expression of Wnt genes after cell commitment suggests additional roles in later developmental processes. We report here that Wnt-7a is expressed in cerebellar granule cell neurons as they begin to extend processes and form synapses. WNT-7a increases axonal spreading and branching in cultured granule cells. Moreover, WNT-7a increases the levels of synapsin I, a presynaptic protein involved in synapse formation and function. Lithium mimics WNT-7a in granule cells by inhibiting GSK-3beta, a component of the WNT signaling pathway. These results suggest a direct effect of WNT-7a in the regulation of neuronal cytoskeleton and synapsin I in granule cell neurons. We propose that WNT proteins have a novel function in the formation of neuronal connections. Copyright 1997 Academic Press. |
