Non-canonical Wnt signaling is an important regulator of gastrulation inXenopus. In particular, it has been implicated in the control of convergent extension movements. Convergent extension in the gas-trula occurs primarily in the dorsal tissue of the marginal zone, and explants of this tissue will continue to undergo these movements in isolation. This observation has led to an assay to examine convergent extension movements that is unique to theXenopussystem, and is described herein.
