Xenopus Paraxial Protocadherin regulates morphogenesis by antagonizing Sprouty

Xenopus Paraxial Protocadherin (xPAPC) has signaling functions that are essential for convergent extension (CE) movements and tissue separation during gastrulation. PAPC modulates components of the planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway, but it is not clear how PAPC is connected to beta-catenin-independent Wnt-signaling. By yeast two-hybrid screen, we found that the intracellular domain of PAPC interacts with Sprouty (Spry), an inhibitor of CE movements. Upon binding to PAPC, Spry function is inhibited and PCP signaling is enhanced. Our data indicate that PAPC promotes gastrulation movements by sequestration of Spry and reveal a novel mechanism by which protocadherins modulate alpha-catenin-independent Wnt-signaling.