An Integrated Canonical and Non-Canonical Wnt Signaling Network Controls Early Anterior–Posterior Axis Formation in Sea Urchin Embryos

Wnt signaling is an ancient developmental mechanism that drives the initial specification and patterning of the primary axis in many metazoan embryos. Yet, it is unclear how exactly the various Wnt components interact in most Wnt-mediated developmental processes as well as in the molecular mechanism regulating adult tissue homeostasis. Recent work in invertebrate deuterostome sea urchin embryos indicates that three different Wnt signaling pathways (Wnt/β-catenin, Wnt/JNK, and Wnt/PKC) form an interconnected Wnt signaling network that specifies and patterns the primary anterior-posterior (AP) axis. Here, we detail our current knowledge of this critical regulatory process in sea urchin embryos. We also illustrate examples from a diverse group of metazoans, from cnidarians to vertebrates, that suggest aspects of the sea urchin AP Wnt signaling network are deeply conserved. We explore how the sea urchin is an excellent model to elucidate a detailed molecular understanding of AP axis specification and patterning that can be used for identifying unifying developmental principles across animals.