R-spondin Is More Than Just Wnt's Sidekick

Dev Cell. 2017 Jun 5;41(5):456-458. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2017.05.018.

Abstract

The intestinal crypt and its stem cells are dependent on the Wnt pathway. Reporting in Nature, Yan et al. (2017) show that Wnts and Wnt signaling potentiator R-spondins have non-interchangeable roles. Both are necessary for intestinal stem cell (ISC) maintenance, and R-spondins are the limiting factor that defines ISC number.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Intestines
  • Stem Cells
  • Thrombospondins*
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway*

Substances

  • Thrombospondins