Secreted Wingless-interacting molecule (Swim) promotes long-range signaling by maintaining Wingless solubility.
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 04/26/2012 - 22:35
| Title | Secreted Wingless-interacting molecule (Swim) promotes long-range signaling by maintaining Wingless solubility. |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2012 |
| Authors | Mulligan KA, Fuerer C, Ching W, Fish M, Willert K, Nusse R |
| Journal | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |
| Volume | 109 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pagination | 370-7 |
| Date Published | 2012 Jan 10 |
| ISSN | 0027-8424 |
| Abstract | Lipid-modified Wnt/Wingless (Wg) proteins can signal to their target cells in a short- or long-range manner. How these hydrophobic proteins travel through the extracellular environment remains an outstanding question. Here, we report on a Wg binding protein, Secreted Wg-interacting molecule (Swim), that facilitates Wg diffusion through the extracellular matrix. Swim, a putative member of the Lipocalin family of extracellular transport proteins, binds to Wg with nanomolar affinity in a lipid-dependent manner. In quantitative signaling assays, Swim is sufficient to maintain the solubility and activity of purified Wg. In Drosophila, swim RNAi phenotypes resemble wg loss-of-function phenotypes in long-range signaling. We propose that Swim is a cofactor that promotes long-range Wg signaling in vivo by maintaining the solubility of Wg. |
| URL | http://www.pnas.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=22203956 |
| DOI | 10.1073/pnas.1119197109 |
| Short Title | Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A |
