Dynamic expression of secreted Frizzled-related protein 3 (sFRP3) in the developing mouse spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia

Neuroscience. 2013 Sep 17:248:594-601. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.06.044. Epub 2013 Jul 1.

Abstract

Wnt proteins have been implicated in regulating a variety of developmental processes in the CNS. Secreted Frizzled-related protein 3 (sFRP3) is a member of the sFRP family that can inhibit the Wnt signaling by binding directly to Wnts via their regions of homology to the Wnt-binding domain of Frizzleds. Recent studies suggested that sFRP3 plays an important role in cell proliferation and differentiation in various tissues. To understand the role of sFRP3 in neural development, we carried out detailed studies on the expression of sFRP3 in the developing nervous system. Our results revealed that sFRP3 is initially expressed in the ventricular zone of the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia (DRG), and later in the dorsal horn of spinal cord and subpopulation of DRG neurons. The spatiotemporally dynamic expression ofsFRP3 strongly suggests that sFRP3 has potential functions in the sensory neuron genesis and sensory circuitry formation.

Keywords: dorsal root ganglia sensory circuit; secreted Frizzled-related protein 3; spinal cord.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Ganglia, Spinal / cytology*
  • Ganglia, Spinal / growth & development
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neurogenesis / genetics*
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Proteins / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Spinal Cord / cytology*
  • Spinal Cord / growth & development
  • Wnt Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • Proteins
  • Wnt Proteins
  • frizzled related protein-3