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First published online November 7, 2006

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Shisa2: red light to morphogen receptor traffic

Somites form transiently in the presomitic mesoderm (PSM) and organize the segmental pattern of vertebrate embryos. FGF and Wnt gradients that decrease caudorostrally control the maturation of the PSM, and also the position in the embryo where the transition to segmental units occurs (the `differentiation wavefront'). But what regulates these gradients? On p. 4643, Nagano and co-workers reveal that Shisa2, a member of the novel Shisa gene family, regulates FGF and Wnt signals during somitogenesis in Xenopus. The researchers show that Shisa2, like its relative Shisa1, encodes an endoplasmic reticulum protein that inhibits signalling by Wnt and FGF by preventing the maturation and cell-surface expression of their receptors. Knockdown of Shisa2, they report, delays PSM maturation and shifts the differentiation wavefront anteriorly, thus reducing somite numbers. This phenotype can only be rescued by inhibiting both Wnt and FGF signals. Thus, the researchers conclude, Shisa2 plays an essential role in establishing the segmental pattern in Xenopus embryos by individually inhibiting both these signals.

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Related articles in Development:

Shisa2 promotes the maturation of somitic precursors and transition to the segmental fate in Xenopus embryos

Takashi Nagano, Shoko Takehara, Maiko Takahashi, Shinichi Aizawa, and Akihito Yamamoto
Development 2006 133: 4643-4654. [Abstract] [Full Text]  

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Related articles in Development Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?