Expression of Xenopus homologs of the beta-catenin binding protein pontin52

Identification of pontin52 as an interaction partner of the Wnt/Wg signal t ransducer beta-catenin implicated a role for this protein in Wnt signaling. Here we describe the isolation of two Xenopus homologs of pontin52, Xponti n and Xreptin, and report the first expression pattern of vertebrate pontin 52 homologs. Whole-mount in situ hybridization studies reveal a strong expr ession of Xpontin in neural crest cells and in later stages in different ga stro;intestinal organs. Xreptin is also expressed in neural crest cells, in particular in a subpopulation that give raise to the adrenal medulla. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.