Wnt

Wnt is a group of signal proteins that pass through cells and are involved in various cellular processes. The name "Wnt" is a portmanteau of Wingless and Int, two genes that were found to encode the same type of protein.

Function

Wnt proteins are involved in a variety of biological processes, including cell proliferation, cell migration, cell fate determination, and maintenance of stem cell pluripotency. They function by binding to receptors on the cell surface, initiating a series of intracellular events that lead to changes in gene expression.

Wnt signaling pathways

There are three known Wnt signaling pathways: the canonical (or Wnt/β-catenin) pathway, the noncanonical planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway, and the noncanonical Wnt/calcium pathway. Each pathway is characterized by a distinct set of molecular events and biological outcomes.

Canonical Wnt pathway

The canonical Wnt pathway involves the stabilization and accumulation of β-catenin in the cytoplasm, which then translocates to the nucleus and interacts with T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor (TCF/LEF) transcription factors to regulate gene expression.

Noncanonical Wnt pathways

The noncanonical Wnt pathways do not involve β-catenin and are less well understood. The PCP pathway regulates the polarity of cells within a tissue, while the Wnt/calcium pathway regulates intracellular calcium levels and activates calcium-dependent intracellular signaling pathways.

Role in disease

Abnormal Wnt signaling has been implicated in a variety of diseases, including cancer, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer's disease. In cancer, mutations in the Wnt pathway can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation and tumor formation. In osteoporosis, decreased Wnt signaling can lead to decreased bone formation and increased bone resorption. In Alzheimer's disease, abnormal Wnt signaling may contribute to the accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brain.

See also

• Wingless
• Int
• β-catenin
• T-cell factor
• Lymphoid enhancer factor
• Planar cell polarity
• Alzheimer's disease
• Osteoporosis
• Cancer

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