Wnt Signaling Polarizes C. elegans Asymmetric Cell Divisions During Development

Results Probl Cell Differ. 2017:61:83-114. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-53150-2_4.

Abstract

Asymmetric cell division is a common mode of cell differentiation during the invariant lineage of the nematode, C. elegans. Beginning at the four-cell stage, and continuing throughout embryogenesis and larval development, mother cells are polarized by Wnt ligands, causing an asymmetric inheritance of key members of a Wnt/β-catenin signal transduction pathway termed the Wnt/β-catenin asymmetry pathway. The resulting daughter cells are distinct at birth with one daughter cell activating Wnt target gene expression via β-catenin activation of TCF, while the other daughter displays transcriptional repression of these target genes. Here, we seek to review the body of evidence underlying a unified model for Wnt-driven asymmetric cell division in C. elegans, identify global themes that occur during asymmetric cell division, as well as highlight tissue-specific variations. We also discuss outstanding questions that remain unanswered regarding this intriguing mode of asymmetric cell division.

Keywords: Asymmetry; Beta-catenin; Cell polarity; POP-1; SYS-1; WRM-1; Wnt.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Asymmetric Cell Division / physiology*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / physiology*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / physiology*

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins