First published online October 6, 2003
Development 130, e2204 (2003)
Copyright © 2003 The Company of Biologists Limited
Motoring towards axis determination
Dorsoanterior axis formation in Xenopus is initiated by the dorsal
accumulation of ß-catenin. It is known that factors that increase
ß-catenin stability are translocated to the prospective dorsal side of
the embryo in a microtubule-dependent manner soon after fertilisation, but the
identity of these factors, and how they are moved around the embryo, is
unclear. Now, Weaver and colleagues report that GBP, a protein inhibitor of
glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3), binds to kinesin light chain (KLC), and
that green fluorescent protein fusions of GBP and KLC form particles that
translocate during the cortical rotation that occurs soon after egg
fertilisation (see p.
5425). The researchers propose a model in which a GBP-containing
complex is transported to the future dorsal side of the embryo by a
conventional kinesin motor. Here, they suggest, GBP regulates the accumulation
of ß-catenin by dissociating from KLC and subsequently inhibiting GSK3,
which would otherwise phosphorylate ß-catenin and mark it for
degradation.
Related articles in Development:
- GBP binds kinesin light chain and translocates during cortical rotation in Xenopus eggs
- Carole Weaver, Gist H. Farr, III, Weijun Pan, Brian A. Rowning, Jiyong Wang, Junhao Mao, Dianqing Wu, Lin Li, Carolyn A. Larabell, and David Kimelman
Development 2003 130: 5425-5436.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
