Receptor-dependent and tyrosine phosphatase-mediated inhibition of GSK3 regulates cell fate choice

Dev Cell. 2002 Oct;3(4):523-32. doi: 10.1016/s1534-5807(02)00269-1.

Abstract

Asymmetric body axis formation is central to metazoan development. Dictyostelium establishes an anterior/posterior axis utilizing seven-transmembrane cAMP morphogen receptors (CARs) and GSK3-mediated signal transductions that has a parallel with metazoan Wnt/Frizzled-GSK3 pathways. In Dictyostelium, GSK3 promotes posterior cell patterning but inhibits anterior cell differentiation. Tyrosine kinase ZAK1 mediates GSK3 activation. We now show that CAR4 regulates a tyrosine phosphatase that inhibits GSK3 activity. We have also identified essential phosphotyrosines in GSK3, confirmed their role in activated/deactivated regulation and cell fate decisions, and relate them to the predicted 3D structure of GSK3beta. CARs differentially regulate GSK3 activity by selectively activating a tyrosine phosphatase or kinase for pattern formation. The findings may provide a comparative understanding of CAR-GSK3 and Wnt/Frizzled-GSK3 pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Dictyostelium / growth & development*
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / physiology*
  • Receptors, Cyclic AMP / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Receptors, Cyclic AMP
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3