ABSTRACT
Wnt proteins are secreted glycoproteins that can activate different intracellular signaling events. Xenopus has been used as an experimental model system for many key discoveries in the field. This relates to both understanding the underlying biochemical mechanisms and the role of these signaling molecules during early vertebrate development. The molecular nature of the Spemann organizer was linked to Wnt signaling during this historic process. Also, the migratory behavior of mesodermal cells during gastrulation resulting in convergent extension movements is regulated by Wnt proteins and Xenopus was instrumental in identifying and characterizing these processes. This chapter summarizes the key findings in the field of Wnt signaling that were discovered in Xenopus and projects how this area of research might develop in the near future.
