β-catenin-dependent FGF signaling sustains cell survival in the anterior embryonic head by countering Smad4

Hunki Paek, Jee Yeon Hwang, R. Suzanne Zukin, Jean M. Hébert

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Growing evidence suggests that FGFs secreted from embryonic signaling centers are key mediators of cell survival. However, the mechanisms regulating FGF-dependent cell survival remain obscure. At the rostral end of the embryo, for example, ablation of FGF signaling leads to the rapid death of the precursor cells that form the anterior head, including the telencephalon. Here, we outline a core genetic circuit that regulates survival in the embryonic mouse head: WNT signaling through β-catenin directly maintains FGF expression and requires FGF function in vivo to oppose proapoptotic TGF-β signaling through SMAD4. Moreover, these antagonistic pathways converge on the transcriptional regulation of apoptosis, and genes such as Cdkn1a, suggesting a mechanism for how signaling centers in the embryonic head regulate cell survival.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)689-699
Number of pages11
JournalDevelopmental cell
Volume20
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 17 2011

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology

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