Lrp4 Modulates Extracellular Integration of Cell Signaling Pathways in Development

Atsushi Ohazama, Eric B. Johnson, Masato S. Ota, Hong J. Choi, Thantrira Porntaveetus, Shelly Oommen, Nobuyuki Itoh, Kazuhiro Eto, Amel Gritli-Linde, Joachim Herz, Paul T. Sharpe

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

166 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The extent to which cell signaling is integrated outside the cell is not currently appreciated. We show that a member of the low-density receptor-related protein family, Lrp4 modulates and integrates Bmp and canonical Wnt signalling during tooth morphogenesis by binding the secreted Bmp antagonist protein Wise. Mouse mutants of Lrp4 and Wise exhibit identical tooth phenotypes that include supernumerary incisors and molars, and fused molars. We propose that the Lrp4/Wise interaction acts as an extracellular integrator of epithelial-mesenchymal cell signaling. Wise, secreted from mesenchyme cells binds to BMP's and also to Lrp4 that is expressed on epithelial cells. This binding then results in the modulation of Wnt activity in the epithelial cells. Thus in this context Wise acts as an extracellular signaling molecule linking two signaling pathways. We further show that a downstream mediator of this integration is the Shh signaling pathway.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere4092
JournalPL o S One
Volume3
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 Dec 2008

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