
doi: 10.1038/ncb2574
pmid: 22983114
Wnt signalling has important roles during development and in many diseases. As morphogens, hydrophobic Wnt proteins exert their function over a distance to induce patterning and cell differentiation decisions. Recent studies have identified several factors that are required for the secretion of Wnt proteins; however, how Wnts travel in the extracellular space remains a largely unresolved question. Here we show that Wnts are secreted on exosomes both during Drosophila development and in human cells. We demonstrate that exosomes carry Wnts on their surface to induce Wnt signalling activity in target cells. Together with the cargo receptor Evi/WIs, Wnts are transported through endosomal compartments onto exosomes, a process that requires the R-SNARE Ykt6. Our study demonstrates an evolutionarily conserved functional role of extracellular vesicular transport of Wnt proteins.
Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins, Biological Transport, Endosomes, Exosomes, Cell Line, Wnt Proteins, Drosophila melanogaster, Animals, Drosophila Proteins, Humans, SNARE Proteins, Wnt Signaling Pathway
Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins, Biological Transport, Endosomes, Exosomes, Cell Line, Wnt Proteins, Drosophila melanogaster, Animals, Drosophila Proteins, Humans, SNARE Proteins, Wnt Signaling Pathway
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 900 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 0.1% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 1% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 0.1% |
