Drosophila heparan sulfate 6-o-endosulfatase sulf1 facilitates wingless (Wg) protein degradation

Abstract

Background: Heparan sulfate 6-O-endosulfatases (Sulfs) have opposite effects on Wnt signaling in vertebrates and Drosophila systems. Results: Sulf1 expression in Drosophila leads to Wingless degradation. Conclusion: Vertebrate and Drosophila Sulfs have an intrinsically similar enzymatic activity, but exert different effects on Wnt/Wg signaling in a context-dependent manner. Significance: This finding contributes to the understanding of extracellular regulation of Wnt/Wg signaling.© 2013 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.