Identification and comparative expression analyses of Daam genes in mouse and Xenopus

Gene Expr Patterns. 2004 Nov;5(1):97-105. doi: 10.1016/j.modgep.2004.06.001.

Abstract

During vertebrate embryogenesis, secreted Wnt molecules regulate cell fates by signaling through the canonical pathway mediated by beta-catenin, and regulate planar cell polarity (PCP) and convergent extension movements through alternative pathways. The phosphoprotein Dishevelled (Dsh/Dvl) is a Wnt signal transducer thought to function in all Wnt signaling pathways. A recently identified member of the Formin family, Daam (Dishevelled--associated activator of morphogenesis), regulates the morphogenetic movements of vertebrate gastrulation in a Wnt-dependent manner through direct interactions with Dsh/Dvl and RhoA. We describe two mouse Daam cDNAs, mDaam1 and mDaam2, which encode proteins characterized by highly conserved formin homology domains and which are expressed in complementary patterns during mouse development. Cross-species comparisons indicate that the expression domains of Xenopus Daam1 (XDaam1) mirror mDaam1 expression. Our results demonstrate that Daams are expressed in tissues known to require Wnts and are consistent with Daams being effectors of Wnt signaling during vertebrate development.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Animals
  • Extremities / embryology
  • Extremities / physiology
  • Ganglia, Spinal / embryology
  • Ganglia, Spinal / metabolism
  • Gastric Mucosa / metabolism
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Liver / embryology
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Lung / embryology
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Microfilament Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Microfilament Proteins / genetics*
  • Microfilament Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Spinal Cord / embryology
  • Spinal Cord / metabolism
  • Stomach / embryology
  • Wnt Proteins
  • Xenopus
  • Xenopus Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Xenopus Proteins / genetics
  • Xenopus Proteins / isolation & purification
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Daam1 protein, Xenopus
  • Daam2 protein, mouse
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Wnt Proteins
  • Xenopus Proteins
  • Daam1 protein, mouse
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins