Wnt-5a induces Dishevelled phosphorylation and dopaminergic differentiation via a CK1-dependent mechanism

Previously, we have shown that Wnt-5a strongly regulates dopaminergic neuron differentiation by inducing phosphorylation of Dishevelled (Dvl). Here, we identify additional components of the Wnt-5a-Dvl pathway in dopaminergic cells. Using in vitro gain-of-function and loss-of-function approaches, we reveal that casein kinase 1 (CK1) delta and CK1 epsilon are crucial for Dvl phosphorylation by non-canonical Wnts. We show that in response to Wnt-5a, CK1 epsilon binds Dvl and is subsequently phosphorylated. Moreover, in response to Wnt-5a or CK1 epsilon, the distribution of Dvl changed from punctate to an even appearance within the cytoplasm. The opposite effect was induced by a CK1 epsilon kinase-dead mutant or by CK1 inhibitors. As expected, Wnt-5a blocked the Wnt-3a-induced activation of beta-catenin. However, both Wnt-3a and Wnt-5a activated Dvl2 by a CK1-dependent mechanism in a cooperative manner. Finally, we show that CK1 kinase activity is necessary for Wnt-5a-induced differentiation of primary dopaminergic precursors. Thus, our data identify CK1 as a component of Wnt-5a-induced signalling machinery that regulates dopaminergic differentiation, and suggest that CK1 delta/epsilon-mediated phosphorylation of Dvl is a common step in both canonical and non-canonical Wnt signalling.