Recombinant Xenopus tropicalis Protein Wnt-11 (wnt11)

Ligand for members of the frizzled family of seven transmembrane receptors. Shares much functionality with wnt11b. Signals through a non-canonical Wnt pathway to activate Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) to regulate gastrulation movements. Acts in a non-cell-autonomous manner to control neural crest migration, probably acting as an extracellular signal from surrounding tissue, but is not required for neural crest induction. Acts redundantly with wnt11b during pronephros induction. Regulates cardiac morphogenesis through the activation of JNK, but is not required for cardiac differentiation. Essential for dorsal fin development; required for an epithelial to mesenchymal transformation event prior to migration of cells into the fin, and ultimately for maintenance of fin structure. Mediates dorsal fin development through a non-canonical pathway mediated by Ca(2+).