The differentiation of epithelial cells and fiber cells from the anterior and posterior compartments of the lens vesicle, respectively, give the @entity1 lens its distinctive polarity. While much progress has been made in understanding the molecular basis of fiber differentiation, little is known about factors that govern the differentiation of the epithelium. Members of the Wnt growth factor family appear to be key regulators of epithelial differentiation in various organ systems. Wnts are ligands for Frizzled receptors and can activate several signaling pathways, of which the best understood is the Wnt/ @entity12401 pathway. The presence of LDL-related protein coreceptors (LRPs) 5 or 6 has been shown to be a requirement for Wnt signaling through the @entity12401 pathway. To access the role of this signaling pathway in the lens, we analyzed @entity19 with a null mutation of @entity49923 . These @entity19 had small eyes and aberrant lenses, characterized by an incompletely formed anterior epithelium resulting in extrusion of the lens fibers into the overlying @entity2687 . We also showed that multiple Wnts, including 5a, 5b, 7a, 7b, 8a, @entity70285 , were detected in the lens. Expression of these molecules was generally present throughout the lens epithelium and extended into the transitional zone, where early fiber elongation occurs. In addition to both @entity15143 and @entity49923 , we also showed the expression of other molecules involved in Wnt signaling and its regulation, including Dishevelleds, Dickkopfs, and secreted Frizzled-related proteins. Taken together, these results indicate a role for Wnt signaling in regulating the differentiation and behavior of lens cells.

A role for Wnt/ XXXX signaling in lens epithelial differentiation.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['mammalian'] @entity70285 :: ('64009(Tax:10090)', 'Gene') :: ['8b, and Frizzled receptors 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6'] @entity19 :: ('10090', 'Species') :: ['mice'] @entity12401 :: ('12387(Tax:10090)', 'Gene') :: ['beta-catenin'] @entity49923 :: ('16974(Tax:10090)', 'Gene') :: ['lrp6', 'LRP6'] @entity2687 :: ('MESH:D003316', 'Disease') :: ['corneal stroma'] @entity15143 :: ('16973(Tax:10090)', 'Gene') :: ['LRP5']
@entity12401 :: (12387(Tax:10090),Gene) :: ['beta-catenin']
