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Dictyostelium Development: A Prototypic Wnt Pathway?

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Wnt Signaling

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 469))

Abstract

Although Wnt signaling is ubiquitous within the animal phylogenetic group, it is unclear how it evolved. Genes related to the components of Wnt pathway are found in other eukaryotes and one of the most studied of these non-metazoan organisms is the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum. This organism contains the enzyme GSK-3 and a β -catenin homolog, Aardvark (Aar). Both are required to regulate pattern formation during multi-cellular stages of Dictyostelium development. Aar is also required for formation of adherens junctions, as seen in animals. Finally, analysis of the completed Dictyostelium genome shows there to be 16 Frizzled (Fz) gene homologs. This chapter discusses Dictyostelium development and the role of these proteins.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK

    Adrian J. Harwood

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  1. Adrian J. Harwood
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  1. University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

    Elizabeth Vincan

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Harwood, A.J. (2008). Dictyostelium Development: A Prototypic Wnt Pathway?. In: Vincan, E. (eds) Wnt Signaling. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 469. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-469-2_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-469-2_2

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-60327-468-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-60327-469-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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