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Wnt signalling in neuronal differentiation and development

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Abstract

Wnts are secreted glycoproteins that play multiple roles in early development, including the differentiation of precursor cells. During this period, gradients of Wnts and other morphogens are formed and regulate the differentiation and migration of neural progenitor cells. Afterwards, Wnt signalling cascades participate in the formation of neuronal circuits, playing roles in dendrite and axon development, dendritic spine formation and synaptogenesis. Finally, in the adult brain, Wnts control hippocampal plasticity, regulating synaptic transmission and neurogenesis. In this review, we summarize the reported roles of Wnt signalling cascades in these processes with a particular emphasis on the role of Wnts in neuronal differentiation and development.

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We thank Felipe G. Serrano (CARE, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, P. Catholic University of Chile) for artwork. This work was supported by Grants from FONDECYT (No. 1120156) and the Basal Center of Excellence in Science and Technology (CONICYT-PFB12/2007) to N.C.I. and by a Grant from FONDECYT (No. 11110012) to L.V.-N.

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  1. Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración (CARE), Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 340, P. O. Box 114-D, Santiago, Chile

    Nibaldo C. Inestrosa

  2. Center for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

    Nibaldo C. Inestrosa

  3. Centro de Excelencia en Biomedicina de Magallanes (CEBIMA), Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile

    Nibaldo C. Inestrosa

  4. Center for Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Andres Bello, Republica 239, 8370146, Santiago, Chile

    Lorena Varela-Nallar

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  1. Nibaldo C. Inestrosa
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Correspondence to Nibaldo C. Inestrosa or Lorena Varela-Nallar.

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Inestrosa, N.C., Varela-Nallar, L. Wnt signalling in neuronal differentiation and development. Cell Tissue Res 359, 215–223 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-014-1996-4

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