Wnt/beta-catenin and Fgf signaling control collective cell migration by restricting chemokine receptor expression

Dev Cell. 2008 Nov;15(5):749-61. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2008.10.002.

Abstract

Collective cell migration is a hallmark of embryonic morphogenesis and cancer metastases. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating coordinated cell migration remain poorly understood. A genetic dissection of this problem is afforded by the migrating lateral line primordium of the zebrafish. We report that interactions between Wnt/beta-catenin and Fgf signaling maintain primordium polarity by differential regulation of gene expression in the leading versus the trailing zone. Wnt/beta-catenin signaling in leader cells informs coordinated migration via differential regulation of the two chemokine receptors, cxcr4b and cxcr7b. These findings uncover a molecular mechanism whereby a migrating tissue maintains stable, polarized gene expression domains despite periodic loss of whole groups of cells. Our findings also bear significance for cancer biology. Although the Fgf, Wnt/beta-catenin, and chemokine signaling pathways are well known to be involved in cancer progression, these studies provide in vivo evidence that these pathways are functionally linked.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Movement*
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Receptors, CXCR / metabolism*
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Wnt Proteins / metabolism
  • Zebrafish / embryology*
  • Zebrafish / metabolism
  • Zebrafish Proteins / metabolism*
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*

Substances

  • CXCR7 protein, zebrafish
  • Receptors, CXCR
  • Receptors, CXCR4
  • Wnt Proteins
  • Zebrafish Proteins
  • beta Catenin
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors