Abstract/Summary

Vertebrate development is orchestrated by secreted signalling molecules that regulate cell behaviour and cell fate decisions during early embryogenesis. The activity of key signalling molecules including members of Hedgehog, Bone Morphogenetic Proteins and Wnt families are regulated by Glypicans, a family of GPI linked polypeptides. Glypicans either promote or inhibit the action of signalling molecules and add a layer of complexity that needs to be understood in order to fully decipher the processes that regulate early vertebrate development. Here we present a detailed expression profile of all six Glypicans and their modifying enzyme Notum during chick embryogenesis. Our results strongly suggest that these proteins have many as yet undiscovered roles to play during early embryogenesis. Finally, we have taken an experimental approach to investigate their role during the patterning of a key embryonic structure - the neural tube. In particular, we show that overexpression of Notum leads to the dorsalisation of this structure.