Axin-1 is involved in the degradation of β-catenin in the Wnt signaling pathway. Axin acts as a scaffold and forms a complex with β-catenin, adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), and GSK-3β. APC, which is phosphorylated by GSK-3β, induces degradation of β-catenin, thus inhibiting Wnt signal transduction. Conductin is 45% identical to axin and appears to play a similar role to axin in the Wnt signaling pathway.
Function: Axin increases beta-catenin degradation.
Pathology
somatic mutations of AXIN1 in hepatocellular carcinoma
somatic mutations of AXIN1 in adenoid cystic carcinoma
References
Tolwinski NS, Wieschaus E. Rethinking WNT signaling. Trends Genet. 2004 Apr;20(4):177-81. PMID: 15041171