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Figure 4 | BMC Developmental Biology

Figure 4

From: The roles of EGF and Wnt signaling during patterning of the C. elegans Bγ/δ Equivalence Group

Figure 4

Patterning of equivalence groups in C. elegans (A) Model for EGF, Wnt and TGF-β signaling during Bγ/δ specification. The EGF and TGF-β pathways specify Bγ fate by regulating the transcription of target genes such as ceh-13/hox1. Wnt controls the axis of division of Bγ, possibly by orienting the mitotic spindle. POPTOP expression suggests Wnt may play a role in Bγ fate specification. (B) A comparison of the HCG, VPCs, P11/12 and Bγ/δ groups. EGF and Wnt signaling have different requirements relative to each other during the patterning of each equivalence group. This difference may account for the specificity of fate by both pathways induced in each group. In addition, Wnt signaling is required for Bγ division along the correct axis. Such a role for Wnt signaling has not been observed in the other equivalence groups. Another factor that may contribute to fate specification in each equivalence group is the use of a third pathway during patterning. TGF-β signaling by dbl-1/dpp is required to specify Bγ fate and does not appear to act during VPC and P12 specification, equivalence groups in which EGF signaling is the major inductive signal. Finally, downstream of the EGF and Wnt pathways, a different Hox gene is expressed in each equivalence group and required to specify fate within that group. One exception is ceh-13/Hox1 for which a functional role in Bγ fate specification has not been identified.

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