WNT signaling pathway
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WNT signalling has a key role in early embryonic patterning through the regulation of cell fate decisions, tissue polarity and cell movements. Wnt signal transduction is crucial for maintaining the balance between proliferation and differentiation throughout embryogenesis and postnatal life.
In the vertebrate embryo, the formation of the dorsal-ventral axis depends on the activity of the Wnt signaling pathway.
In the nervous system, WNT signalling regulates neuronal connectivity by controlling axon pathfinding, axon remodelling, dendrite morphogenesis and synapse formation.
Components
| WNT1 | CTNNB1 | AXIN1 | AXIN2 |
Pathology of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway
cancer predisposition
- mutations in AXIN2 in familial tooth agenesis (15042511)
RSPO4 germline mutations in inherited anonychia and hyponychia congenita (MIM.206800) (17186469, 17041604)
- Anonychia is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the congenital absence of finger- and toe-nails.
- RSPO4 is a member of the recently described R-spondin family of secreted proteins that play a major role in activating the Wnt/ beta -catenin signaling pathway.
References
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Nelson WJ, Nusse R. Convergence of Wnt, beta-catenin, and cadherin pathways. Science. 2004 Mar 5;303(5663):1483-7. PMID: 15001769
Kalderon D. Similarities between the Hedgehog and Wnt signaling pathways. Trends Cell Biol. 2002 Nov ;12(11):523-31. PMID : 12446114
Kuhl M, Sheldahl LC, Park M, Miller JR, Moon RT. The Wnt/Ca2+ pathway: a new vertebrate Wnt signaling pathway takes shape. Trends Genet. 2000 Jul;16(7):279-83. PMID: 10858654
Nusse R. WNT targets. Repression and activation. Trends Genet. 1999 Jan ;15(1):1-3. PMID : 10087922
