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Wnt Signals and Antagonists: The Molecular Nature of Spemann’s Head Organizer

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The Vertebrate Organizer

Summary

The Spemann organizer regulates the formation of all embryonic axes — antero-posterior, dorso-ventral, left-right, and it does so in all vertebrates tested. A number of models has been proposed to account for initial antero-posterior (A-P) patterning, in particular of the early central nervous system, and while they differ in various aspects they all agree on the fact that the anterior and posterior Spemann organizer and their derivatives emit anteriorizing and posteriorizing factors, respectively, which specify positional information of adjacent tissues. Here I will review evidence that attributes a central role for Wnt/β-catenin signalling during early A-P patterning. A gradient of positional information of Wnt/β-catenin signalling with high levels posteriorly and low levels anteriorly regulates this patterning process. One of the functions of the Spemann organizer and its derivatives is to shape this gradient and to maintain low levels of Wnt/β-catenin signalling anteriorly by secreting a number of potent Wnt antagonists. Thus, the organizer creates signalling gradients of Wnts and bone morphogenetic proteins to pattern and integrate the main vertebrate body axes.

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  1. Division of Molecular Embryology, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    Christof Niehrs

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  1. FB9 Department of Zoophysiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstraße 5, 45117, Essen, Germany

    Horst Grunz

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Niehrs, C. (2004). Wnt Signals and Antagonists: The Molecular Nature of Spemann’s Head Organizer. In: Grunz, H. (eds) The Vertebrate Organizer. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-10416-3_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-10416-3_9

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