Wnt signaling pathway involved in forebrain neuroblast division

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The series of molecular signals initiated by binding of Wnt protein to a receptor on the surface of the target cell that contributes to the self renewal of neuroblasts in the forebrain. [GO_REF:0000021, GOC:cls, GOC:dgh, GOC:dph, GOC:jid, PMID:16226447]

The Wnt signaling pathway plays a crucial role in regulating forebrain neuroblast division, a process essential for the development of the cerebral cortex. Wnt proteins, secreted signaling molecules, bind to Frizzled receptors on the surface of neuroblasts. This binding triggers a cascade of intracellular events, leading to the activation of β-catenin, a key transcription factor. β-catenin accumulates in the nucleus and forms complexes with other transcription factors, regulating the expression of genes involved in cell cycle progression, cell fate determination, and neuroblast survival.

In the context of forebrain neuroblast division, Wnt signaling promotes symmetric and asymmetric divisions. During symmetric division, Wnt signaling promotes the generation of two identical daughter neuroblasts, contributing to the expansion of the neuroblast pool. Conversely, Wnt signaling also controls asymmetric division, generating one neuroblast and one progenitor cell that differentiates into a neuron. This precise regulation ensures the proper balance between neuroblast self-renewal and neuronal differentiation, crucial for the development of a functional cerebral cortex.

The activation of Wnt signaling is tightly regulated, both spatially and temporally, through interactions with various other signaling pathways and molecular regulators. Precise control of Wnt signaling is critical for proper neurogenesis, as dysregulation can lead to developmental defects and neurological disorders.'
"

Proteins (1)

Compounds (3)