Secreted Wnt antagonist Dickkopf-1 controls kidney papilla development coordinated by Wnt-7b signalling

► The secreted Wnt signal antagonist Dkk1 is expressed in the cells of developing ureteric tree and the nephrons. ► Dkk1 function is critical for development of the papilla of the kidney as judged by Pax8Cre mediated knock out of Dkk1 function. ► Dkk1 may coordinate papilla development by fine tuning the action of Wnt-7b signalling.