부산대학교 도서관

We provide genetic evidence defining a role for noncanonical Wnt function in vertebrate axis formation. In zebrafish, misexpression of Wnt-4, -5, and -11 stimulates calcium ([Ca.sup.2+]) release, defining the Wnt/[Ca.sup.2+] class. We describe genetic interaction between two Wnt/[Ca.sup.2+] members, Wnt-5 (pipetail) and Wnt-11 (silberblick), and a reduction of [Ca.sup.2+] release in Wnt-5/pipetail. Embryos genetically depleted of both maternal and zygotic Wnt-5 product exhibit cell movement defects as well as hyperdorsalization and axis-duplication phenotypes. The dorsalized phenotypes result from increased [beta]-catenin accumulation and activation of downstream genes. The Wnt-5 loss-off function defect is consistent with [Ca.sup.2+] modulation having an antagonistic interaction with Wnt/[beta]-catenin signaling.