Dual functions of DP1 promote biphasic Wnt-on and Wnt-off states during anteroposterior neural patterning

EMBO J. 2012 Aug 15;31(16):3384-97. doi: 10.1038/emboj.2012.181. Epub 2012 Jul 6.

Abstract

DP1, a dimerization partner protein of the transcription factor E2F, is known to inhibit Wnt/β-catenin signalling along with E2F, although the function of DP1 itself was not well characterized. Here, we present a novel dual regulatory mechanism of Wnt/β-catenin signalling by DP1 independent from E2F. DP1 negatively regulates Wnt/β-catenin signalling by inhibiting Dvl-Axin interaction and by enhancing poly-ubiquitination of β-catenin. In contrast, DP1 positively modulates the signalling upon Wnt stimulation, via increasing cytosolic β-catenin and antagonizing the kinase activity of NLK. In Xenopus embryos, DP1 exerts both positive and negative roles in Wnt/β-catenin signalling during anteroposterior neural patterning. From subcellular localization analyses, we suggest that the dual roles of DP1 in Wnt/β-catenin signalling are endowed by differential nucleocytoplasmic localizations. We propose that these dual functions of DP1 can promote and stabilize biphasic Wnt-on and Wnt-off states in response to a gradual gradient of Wnt/β-catenin signalling to determine differential cell fates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Patterning*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcription Factor DP1 / metabolism*
  • Wnt Proteins / metabolism*
  • Xenopus / embryology*
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • Transcription Factor DP1
  • Wnt Proteins
  • beta Catenin