Cadherins and catenins, Wnts and SOXs: embryonic patterning in Xenopus

Abstract

Wnt signaling plays a critical role in a wide range of developmental and oncogenic processes. Altered gene regulation by the canonical Wnt signaling pathway involves the cytoplasmic stabilization of beta-catenin, a protein critical to the assembly of cadherin-based cell-cell adherence junctions. In addition to binding to cadherins, beta-catenin also interacts with transcription factors of the TCF-subfamily of HMG box proteins and regulates their activity. The Xenopus embryo has proven to be a particularly powerful experimental system in which to study the role of Wnt signaling components in development and differentiation. We review this literature, focusing on the role of Wnt signaling and interacting components in establishing patterns within the early embryo.