From Embryo to Colony: The Role of Wnt Signaling Pathways in Body Plan Formation in Cnidaria

Wnt proteins, which first appeared at the evolutionary onset of multicellular animals, activate several signaling pathways that regulate key ontogenetic processes: body plan formation, regeneration, stem cell renewal, and cell differentiation. Understanding the ancestral functions of Wnt signaling is essential to shed light on the routes of animal evolution. Basal Metazoa, such as Cnidaria, play a significant role in studying the evolution of these signaling pathways. As sister taxa to Bilateria, they represent a crucial group for research in the field of evolutionary developmental biology (EvoDevo). In this review, we summarize recent findings on Wnt signaling pathways in the development of Cnidaria, emphasizing their involvement in body plan formation.