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Pattern Formation in Morphogenesis pp 17–25Cite as

Gradients and Regulatory Networks of Wnt Signalling in Hydra Pattern Formation

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Part of the book series: Springer Proceedings in Mathematics ((PROM,volume 15))

Abstract

The Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays an important role in axis formation and axial patterning during metazoan development. Wnt genes are expressed around the blastopore of prebilaterian and bilaterian embryos and create a gradient of ligands governing the primary oral-aboral body axis. Although this polarised Wnt signalling along a primary body axis is a conserved property of metazoan development, the mechanisms governing localised Wnt expression and secretion are poorly understood. We study these questions in the freshwater polyp Hydra, a classical model system for the analysis of morphogenetic gradients and modelling of de novo pattern formation processes. New data emphasise the importance of gene regulatory networks for the formation of Wnt secreting signalling centres. It is proposed that a twist of transcriptional control and gradient formation was essential for the formation of Wnt signalling centres in metazoan axis formation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department for Molecular Evolution and Genomics, Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany

    Thomas W. Holstein

Authors
  1. Thomas W. Holstein
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Correspondence to Thomas W. Holstein .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Matematica, MIRIAM, Università Milano-Bicocca, Via Saldini 50, Milano, 20133, Italy

    Vincenzo Capasso

  2. Études Scientifiques, Institut des Hautes, route des Chartres 35, Bures-sur-Yvette, 91440, France

    Misha Gromov

  3. Cancer Institut Andre Lwoff, CNRS FRE 3239, Laboratoire Epigenetique et, rue Guy Moquet 7, Villejuif, 94800, France

    Annick Harel-Bellan

  4. Cancer Institut Andre Lwoff, CNRS FRE 3239, Laboratoire Epigenetique et, rue Guy Moquet 7, Villejuif, 94800, France

    Nadya Morozova

  5. Cancer Institut Andre Lwoff, CNRS FRE 3239, Laboratoire Epigenetique et, rue Guy Môquet, Villejuif, 94801, France

    Linda Louise Pritchard

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Holstein, T.W. (2013). Gradients and Regulatory Networks of Wnt Signalling in Hydra Pattern Formation. In: Capasso, V., Gromov, M., Harel-Bellan, A., Morozova, N., Pritchard, L. (eds) Pattern Formation in Morphogenesis. Springer Proceedings in Mathematics, vol 15. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-20164-6_3

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