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Calcium signaling in vertebrate embryonic patterning and morphogenesis
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Calcium signaling in vertebrate embryonic patterning and morphogenesis

Diane C Slusarski and Francisco Pelegri
Developmental biology, Vol.307(1), pp.1-13
07/01/2007
DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2007.04.043
PMCID: PMC2729314
PMID: 17531967
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2007.04.043View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Signaling pathways that rely on the controlled release and/or accumulation of calcium ions are important in a variety of developmental events in the vertebrate embryo, affecting cell fate specification and morphogenesis. One such major developmentally important pathway is the Wnt/calcium signaling pathway, which, through its antagonism of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling, appears to regulate the formation of the early embryonic organizer. In addition, the Wnt/calcium pathway shares components with another non-canonical Wnt pathway involved in planar cell polarity, suggesting that these two pathways form a loose network involved in polarized cell migratory movements that fashion the vertebrate body plan. Furthermore, left-right axis determination, neural induction and somite formation also display dynamic calcium release, which may be critical in these patterning events. Finally, we summarize recent evidence that propose a role for calcium signaling in stem cell biology and human developmental disorders.
Morphogenesis Vertebrates Animals Calcium Signaling - physiology Humans Body Patterning Organizers, Embryonic - cytology Stem Cells - physiology Stem Cells - cytology Wnt Proteins - metabolism

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