Two members of the Tcf family implicated in Wnt/beta-catenin signaling during embryogenesis in the mouse.

Two members of the Tcf family implicated in Wnt/beta-catenin signaling during embryogenesis in the mouse.

Molecular and cellular biology (1998-03-06)

V Korinek, N Barker, K Willert, M Molenaar, J Roose, G Wagenaar, M Markman, W Lamers, O Destree, H Clevers

ABSTRACT

Tcf transcription factors interact with beta-catenin and Armadillo to mediate Wnt/Wingless signaling. We now report the characterization of genes encoding two murine members of the Tcf family, mTcf-3 and mTcf-4. mTcf-3 mRNA is ubiquitously present in embryonic day 6.5 (E6.5) mouse embryos but gradually disappears over the next 3 to 4 days. mTcf-4 expression occurs first at E10.5 and is restricted to di- and mesencephalon and the intestinal epithelium during embryogenesis. The mTcf-3 and mTcf-4 proteins bind a canonical Tcf DNA motif and can complex with the transcriptional coactivator beta-catenin. Overexpression of Wnt-1 in a mammary epithelial cell line leads to the formation of a nuclear complex between beta-catenin and Tcf proteins and to Tcf reporter gene transcription. These data demonstrate a direct link between Wnt stimulation and beta-catenin/Tcf transcriptional activation and imply a role for mTcf-3 and -4 in early Wnt-driven developmental decisions in the mouse embryo.

MATERIALS

Product Number

Brand

Product Description

21-170

Sigma-Aldrich

TOPflash (TCF Reporter Plasmid), Transfection grade T-cell factor reporter plasmid containing 2 sets (with the second set in the reverse orientation) of 3 copies of the TCF binding site (wild type) upstream of the Thymidine Kinase minimal promoter and Luciferase open reading frame.

21-169

Sigma-Aldrich

FOPflash (mutant TCF binding sites), Transfection grade T cell factor (TCF) reporter plasmid containing 2 full & one incomplete copy of the Tcf binding site (mutated) followed by 3 copies in the reverse orientation. Serves as a negative control to TOPflash.