Spatial and temporal regulation of Wnt signaling pathway members in the development of butterfly wing patterns

Wnt signaling members are involved in the differentiation of cells associated with eyespot and band color patterns on the wings of butterflies, but the identity and spatio-temporal regulation of specific Wnt pathway members remains unclear. Here, we explore the localization and function of Armadillo/beta-catenin dependent (canonical) and Armadillo/beta-catenin independent (noncanonical) Wnt signaling in eyespot and band development in Bicyclus anynana by localizing Armadillo (Arm), the expression of all eight Wnt ligand and four frizzled receptor transcripts present in the genome of this species and testing the function of some of the ligands and receptors using CRISPR-Cas9. We show that distinct Wnt signaling pathways are essential for eyespot and band patterning in butterflies and are likely interacting to control their active domains.

Automated summary

In this study, the localization and function of Armadillo/beta-catenin dependent and independent Wnt signaling in eyespot and band development in Bicyclus anynana were explored. Armadillo (Arm) protein localization, expression analysis of all eight Wnt ligand and four frizzled receptor transcripts, and CRISPR-Cas9 experiments were used to investigate the role of specific ligands and receptors. The results reveal the essential role of distinct Wnt signaling pathways in eyespot and band patterning in butterflies, suggesting their interaction to control active domains.