Identification of pry-1/Axin Mediated Wnt Signaling Targets in C. elegans and C. briggsae

Abstract

<p>The Wnt signaling pathway plays a vital role in a multitude of cellular processes across a breadth of multicellular organisms, from simple nematode roundworms such as the Caenorhabditis species to humans. Through the study of this evolutionarily conserved signal transduction pathway in a simple model organism, a greater understanding of the regulation and function of the Wnt pathway can be gained. Emerging research is highlighting the promiscuous nature of Wnt signaling within the network of signaling pathways involved in C. elegans development and aging processes. However, impeding the study of the diverse roles of Wnt signaling in the nematode is the fact that little is known about regulation of key Wnt pathway components in the nematode species, and only a handful of downstream Wnt pathway target genes have been identified. We have used parallel genetic and genomic approaches to elucidate transcriptional targets of the Wnt pathway in C. elegans and the related species C. briggsae. This analysis has uncovered an array of putative Wnt pathway gene targets including pry-1/Axin, a key regulatory component of the pathway. Furthermore, our genome-wide search for Wnt targets has revealed a novel interaction between the Wnt and Hedgehog signaling pathways that is conserved between these two nematode species.</p>