bioRxiv Science⌕ Search
Home/Archive/bioRxiv

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2024.10.27.620500

The Nematostella Wnt/β-catenin destruction complex provides insight into the evolution of the regulation of a major metazoan signal transduction pathway

Sun, H.·Zidek, R.·Martindale, M. Q.·Wikramanayake, A.
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

The genesis of signaling pathways likely drove metazoan evolution, but the origins of these pathways and how they acquired signaling activity is poorly understood. Here, we studied functional evolution of the Wnt/{beta}-catenin (cWnt) pathway destruction-complex (DC) that regulates {beta}-catenin signaling. Bilaterian DC function requires {beta}-catenin binding to Axin and APC proteins, and Axin-APC heterodimerization. However, bioinformatic analyses predicted that Axin and APC-like homologs in early-branching non-bilaterians lack important previously defined bilaterian {beta}-catenin binding domains, questioning if they have functional cWnt-DCs. We demonstrate that both Axin and APC proteins in the cnidarian Nematostella vectensis (a representative of the sister taxon to bilaterians) can regulate cWnt signaling indicating an active cWnt-DC. Using in vitro analyses, we show that NvAxin binds Nv{beta}-catenin weakly despite lacking the conserved bilaterian Axin {beta}-catenin-binding motif ({beta}catBM). Using AlphaFold3, we identified two predicted {beta}catBM-like sequences in NvAxin, one within the Axin-RGS domain and another towards the C-terminus. Similar analysis of placozoan, poriferan, and ctenophore Axin identified single {beta}catBM-like sequences located within Axin-RGS. We show that ctenophore Axin and {beta}-catenin do not interact and changing a conserved leucine on NvAxin-{beta}catBM-like motifs to resemble the ctenophore sequence abolished NvAxin-Nv{beta}-catenin interactions. We propose that an ancestral Axin-RGS sequence acquired low-affinity {beta}-catenin binding early in metazoan evolution, followed by motif duplication in the cnidarian-bilaterian ancestor. In bilaterians, the duplicated {beta}catBM evolved higher-affinity for {beta}-catenin, while the ancestral sequence was lost. Our results demonstrate how phylogenetic insights, AI tools and functional assays can be used to reconstruct the evolution of complex signaling pathways.

Explore related subjects

developmental biologyPreprint

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Sun, H., Zidek, R., Martindale, M. Q., Wikramanayake, A.. 2024-10-28. The Nematostella Wnt/β-catenin destruction complex provides insight into the evolution of the regulation of a major metazoan signal transduction pathway. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.10.27.620500

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related preprints

bioRxiv2026

A bicistronic Aldh1a3-P2A-TagBFP knock-in reporter mouse line for studying genitourinary tract development

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1a3 (Aldh1a3) is an enzyme involved in retinoic acid synthesis with dynamic expression patterns during development, including in the urogenital system. Here, we generated a bicistronic Aldh1a3-P2A-TagBFP knock-in mouse using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, inserting TagBFP immediately upstream of the endogenous Aldh1a3 stop codon. Correct targeting was confirmed by Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing, and heterozygous and homozygous mice were viable and fertile without overt morphological abnormalities. TagBFP fluorescence faithfully overlapped with endogenous Aldh1a3 immunoreactivity and reproduced established expression domains in the developing craniofacial region, intestine, kidney, and broader urogenital system. Extensive characterization of the urogenital system revealed dynamic, spatially restricted BFP reporter activity in Aldh1a3-expressing domains across several key structures, including the ureteric bud and collecting duct lineage, seminal vesicles, caput epididymis, and developing uterine horns. The Aldh1a3-P2A-TagBFP mouse provides a fluorescent resource for visualizing Aldh1a3 expression across development and in adult tissues, including for the characterization of Aldh1a3-expressing domains in the urogenital system. The relatively low fluorescence intensity of TagBFP should be considered when assessing low-level reporter expression.

developmental biology↗
bioRxiv2026

Translation of a small upstream open reading frame functions as a rheostat for the regulation of lin-41 by the Let-7 microRNA in Caenorhabditis elegans

MicroRNAs have been likened to the "dark matter" of eukaryotic genomes, reflecting their pervasive regulatory influence. MicroRNAs were first identified through genetic studies of developmental timing in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Let-7 was the first microRNA recognized to be broadly conserved. The principal target of Let-7 in the developmental timing pathway is the TRIM-NHL RNA-binding protein LIN-41. During the L4 larval stage, Let-7 represses lin-41 translation by binding to two Let-7 complementary sites in the lin-41 3'UTR. Despite the importance of microRNA-based translational regulation, the underlying molecular mechanisms are incompletely understood. Through genetic analysis, we discovered an unrecognized feature of the mechanism by which Let-7 controls lin-41 translation. This mechanism requires a 5'-regulatory exon containing a seven-amino acid upstream open reading frame (uORF) and conserved sequence elements. Genome editing indicates that the specific uORF amino acid sequence itself is not important. Our data suggest that uORF translation and 5'UTR structure limit initiation at the downstream lin-41 start codon, enabling tight control by Let-7. Without this mechanism, the Let-7 microRNA is unable to properly regulate lin-41 to enable proper development.

developmental biology↗
bioRxiv2026

Ductal myofibroblasts reactivate contractile program to stabilize alveolar architecture during lung regeneration

The alveolar sac architecture is essential for efficient gas exchange and must be precisely maintained throughout life; however, how this delicate structure is preserved during adult regeneration remains poorly understood. Using a mouse pneumonectomy model, we found that Lgr6+ Hhip+ ductal myofibroblasts, a poorly characterized mesenchymal population, are indispensable for maintaining alveolar integrity during lung regrowth. Comprehensive characterization using single-cell transcriptomics, mouse genetics, and pharmacological assays demonstrated that these ductal myofibroblasts secrete myogenic factors, most notably CCN4, to reactivate a myogenic program that converts them into contractile PA-DMFs, thereby preserving alveolar architecture. Lineage-tracing further revealed that these ductal myofibroblasts originate from embryonic MCAM- SMA+ distal progenitors via subepithelial TGF-{beta} signaling, serving as a lifelong guardian of alveolar structural integrity. Notably, cross-species analysis identified an analogous population of LGR6+ fibromyocytes in human respiratory bronchioles. Together, these findings indicate ductal myofibroblasts as a developmentally programmed cell population that reactivate a contractile program to structurally support the regeneration of adult lungs.

developmental biology↗