The secreted protein Noggin4 is an activator of the Wnt/PCP-signaling pathway

Abstract

The protein Noggin4 of the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis has been shown to act as a modulator of the “noncanonical” Wnt/PCP-signaling pathway that plays an important role in the regulation of cell motility. Induction of disturbances in the expression of Noggin4 led to the activation of Wnt/PCP-pathway and the related anomalies of early embryonic development. The Noggin4 protein can bind the Wnt11 protein that normally contributes to the activation of the Wnt/PCP-pathway and of enhancing the activator effect of this protein in luciferase assays. Thus, Noggin4 can be used as a tool for specific experimental regulation of the activity of the Wnt/PCP pathway.