A pivotal Wnt antagonist role promoting digit joint specification by constraining Wnt activity (opens in new tab)

Bmps and Wnts often act antagonistically. Here we report that in mouse digit progenitors, unlike long bone joints, they cooperate to promote chondrogenic over joint (interzone) commitment. Elevated Bmp signaling prevents 5’HoxdΔ/Δ digit progenitors from forming interzones, causing joint loss. We show that constitutive βCatenin activation (βCatCA) in 5’HoxdΔ/Δ interdigits restores digit joints indirectly and cell non-autonomously. RNA profiling reveals βCatCA induces secreted Wnt antagonists t...