Receptor for Wnt proteins. Most of frizzled receptors are coupled to the beta-catenin canonical signaling pathway, which leads to the activation of disheveled proteins, inhibition of GSK-3 kinase, nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin and activation of Wnt target genes. A second signaling pathway involving PKC and calcium fluxes has been seen for some family members, but it is not yet clear if it represents a distinct pathway or if it can be integrated in the canonical pathway, as PKC seems to be required for Wnt-mediated inactivation of GSK-3 kinase. Both pathways seem to involve interactions with G-proteins. May be involved in transduction and intercellular transmission of polarity information during tissue morphogenesis and/or in differentiated tissues. Interacts specifically with Wnt5A to induce the beta-catenin pathway.
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 96, 3546-3551 (1999)[PubMed:10097073]
Biochemical studies of Wnt signaling have been hampered by difficulties in obtaining large quantities of soluble, biologically active Wnt proteins. In this paper, we report the production in Drosophila S2 cells of biologically active Xenopus Wnt8 (XWnt8). Epitope- or alkaline phosphatase-tagged XWnt8 proteins are secreted by concentrated S2 cells in a form that is suitable for quantitative biochemical experiments with yields of 5 and 0.5 mg per liter, respectively. Conditions also are described for the production in 293 cells of an IgG fusion of the cysteine-rich domain (CRD) of mouse Frizzled 8 with a yield of 20 mg/liter. We demonstrate the use of these proteins for studying the interactions between soluble XWnt8 and various Frizzled proteins, membrane anchored or secreted CRDs, and a set of insertion mutants in the CRD of Drosophila Frizzled 2. In a solid phase binding assay, the affinity of the XWnt8-alkaline phosphatase fusion for the purified mouse Frizzled 8-CRD-IgG fusion is approximately 9 nM.
Combining with an extracellular signal and transmitting the signal across the membrane by activating an associated G-protein; promotes the exchange of GDP for GTP on the alpha subunit of a heterotrimeric G-protein complex.
Interacting selectively and non-covalently with any protein or protein complex (a complex of two or more proteins that may include other nonprotein molecules).
Evidence
1:
Inferred from Physical InteractionBHF-UCL
The canonical Wnt/beta-catenin pathway plays a pivotal role in regulating embryogenesis and tumorigenesis by promoting cell proliferation. BAMBI (BMP and activin membrane-bound inhibitor) has previously been shown to negatively regulate the signaling activity of transforming growth factor-beta, activin, and BMP and was identified as a target of beta-catenin in colorectal and hepatocellular tumor cells. In this study, we provide evidence that BAMBI can promote the transcriptional activity of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling. Overexpression of BAMBI enhances the expression of Wnt-responsive reporters, whereas knockdown of endogenous BAMBI attenuates them. Accordingly, BAMBI also promotes the nuclear translocation of beta-catenin. BAMBI interacts with Wnt receptor Frizzled5, coreceptor LRP6, and Dishevelled2 and increases the interaction between Frizzled5 and Dishevelled2. Finally we show that BAMBI promotes the expression of c-myc and cyclin D1 and increases Wnt-promoted cell cycle progression. Altogether, our data indicate that BAMBI can function as a positive regulator of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway to promote cell proliferation.
Evidence
2:
Inferred from Physical InteractionUniProtKB
LGR5+ stem cells reside at crypt bottoms, intermingled with Paneth cells that provide Wnt, Notch and epidermal growth factor signals. Here we find that the related RNF43 and ZNRF3 transmembrane E3 ubiquitin ligases are uniquely expressed in LGR5+ stem cells. Simultaneous deletion of the two genes encoding these proteins in the intestinal epithelium of mice induces rapidly growing adenomas containing high numbers of Paneth and LGR5+ stem cells. In vitro, growth of organoids derived from these adenomas is arrested when Wnt secretion is inhibited, indicating a dependence of the adenoma stem cells on Wnt produced by adenoma Paneth cells. In the HEK293T human cancer cell line, expression of RNF43 blocks Wnt responses and targets surface-expressed frizzled receptors to lysosomes. In the RNF43-mutant colorectal cancer cell line HCT116, reconstitution of RNF43 expression removes its response to exogenous Wnt. We conclude that RNF43 and ZNRF3 reduce Wnt signals by selectively ubiquitinating frizzled receptors, thereby targeting these Wnt receptors for degradation.
Interacting selectively and non-covalently with a protein kinase, any enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of a phosphate group, usually from ATP, to a protein substrate.
Evidence
1:
Inferred from Physical InteractionBHF-UCL
Receptor internalization is recognized as an important mechanism for controlling numerous cell surface receptors. This event contributes not only to regulate signal transduction but also to adjust the amount of cell surface receptors. Frizzleds (Fzds) are seven-pass transmembrane receptor family proteins for Wnt ligands. Recent studies indicated that Fzd5 is internalized in response to Wnt stimulation to activate downstream signaling pathways. After internalization, it appears that Fzd5 is recycled back to the plasma membrane. However, whether internalized Fzd5 is sorted to lysosomes for protein degradation remains unclear. We here report that a coated vesicle-associated kinase of 104 kDa (CVAK104) selectively induces lysosomal degradation of Fzd5. We identify CVAK104 as a novel binding partner of Dishevelled (Dvl), a scaffold protein in the Wnt signaling pathway. Interestingly, we find that CVAK104 also interacts with Fzd5 but not with Fzd1 or Fzd4. CVAK104 selectively induces intracellular accumulation of Fzd5 via the clathrin-mediated pathway, which is suppressed by coexpression of a dominant negative form of Rab5. Fzd5 is subsequently degraded by a lysosomal pathway. Indeed, knockdown of endogenous CVAK104 by RNA interference results in an increase in the amount of Fzd5. In contrast, Wnt treatment induces Fzd5 internalization but does not stimulate its degradation. Overexpression or knockdown of CVAK104 results in a significant suppression or activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway, respectively. These results suggest that CVAK104 regulates the amount of Fzd5 by inducing lysosomal degradation, which probably contributes to the suppression of the Wnt signaling pathway.
R-spondin proteins strongly potentiate Wnt signalling and function as stem-cell growth factors. Despite the biological and therapeutic significance, the molecular mechanism of R-spondin action remains unclear. Here we show that the cell-surface transmembrane E3 ubiquitin ligase zinc and ring finger 3 (ZNRF3) and its homologue ring finger 43 (RNF43) are negative feedback regulators of Wnt signalling. ZNRF3 is associated with the Wnt receptor complex, and inhibits Wnt signalling by promoting the turnover of frizzled and LRP6. Inhibition of ZNRF3 enhances Wnt/β-catenin signalling and disrupts Wnt/planar cell polarity signalling in vivo. Notably, R-spondin mimics ZNRF3 inhibition by increasing the membrane level of Wnt receptors. Mechanistically, R-spondin interacts with the extracellular domain of ZNRF3 and induces the association between ZNRF3 and LGR4, which results in membrane clearance of ZNRF3. These data suggest that R-spondin enhances Wnt signalling by inhibiting ZNRF3. Our study provides new mechanistic insights into the regulation of Wnt receptor turnover, and reveals ZNRF3 as a tractable target for therapeutic exploration.
In Xenopus laevis embryos, the Wingless/Wnt-1 subclass of Wnt molecules induces axis duplication, whereas the Wnt-5A subclass does not. This difference could be explained by distinct signal transduction pathways or by a lack of one or more Wnt-5A receptors during axis formation. Wnt-5A induced axis duplication and an ectopic Spemann organizer in the presence of hFz5, a member of the Frizzled family of seven-transmembrane receptors. Wnt-5A/hFz5 signaling was antagonized by glycogen synthase kinase-3 and by the amino-terminal ectodomain of hFz5. These results identify hFz5 as a receptor for Wnt-5A.
WNT factors represent key mediators of many processes in animal development and homeostasis and act through a receptor complex comprised of members of the Frizzled and low density lipoprotein-related receptors (LRP). In mammals, 19 genes encoding Wingless and Int-related factor (WNTs), 10 encoding Frizzled, and 2 encoding LRP proteins have been identified, but little is known of the identities of individual Frizzled-LRP combinations mediating the effects of specific WNT factors. Additionally, several secreted modulators of WNT signaling have been identified, including at least three members of the Dickkopf family. WNT7A is a WNT family member expressed in the vertebrate central nervous system capable of modulating aspects of neuronal plasticity. Gene knock-out models in the mouse have revealed that WNT7A plays a role in cerebellar maturation, although its function in the development of distal limb structures and of the reproductive tract have been more intensely studied. To identify a receptor complex for this WNT family member, we have analyzed the response of the rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC12 to WNT7A. We find that PC12 cells are capable of responding to WNT7A as measured by increased beta-catenin stability and activation of a T-cell factor-based luciferase reporter construct and that these cells express three members of the Frizzled family (Frizzled-2, -5, and -7) and LRP6. Our functional analysis indicates that WNT7A can specifically act via a Frizzled-5.LRP6 receptor complex in PC12 cells and that this activity can be antagonized by Dickkopf-1 and Dickkopf-3.
Evidence
2:
Inferred from Physical InteractionUniProtKB
OBJECTIVE: Sepsis is a major cause of death for intensive care patients. High concentrations of inflammatory cytokines are characteristic of severe systemic inflammation and activated monocytes are their predominant cellular source. To identify targets for antiinflammatory intervention, we investigated the response of human macrophages to inflammatory and antiinflammatory mediators. METHODS AND RESULTS: We profiled gene expression in human macrophages exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon (IFN)-gamma in the presence or absence of recombinant activated protein C (APC) or IL-10 and identified Wnt5A as one of the transcripts most highly induced by LPS/IFN-gamma and suppressed by APC and IL-10. We confirmed regulation of Wnt5A protein in macrophages and detected it in sera and bone marrow macrophages of patients with severe sepsis. We established that a functional Wnt5A/frizzled-5/CaMKII signaling pathway was essential for macrophage inflammatory activation. To prove the essential contribution of Wnt5A we measured inflammatory cytokines after stimulation with Wnt5A, silenced Wnt5A by siRNA, and blocked receptor binding with soluble Frizzled-related peptide-1 (sFRP1). CONCLUSIONS: Wnt5A is critically involved in inflammatory macrophage signaling in sepsis and is a target for antiinflammatory mediators like APC or antagonists like sFRP1.
Evidence
3:
Inferred from Physical InteractionBHF-UCL
The ciliary marginal zone of the vertebrate retina contains undifferentiated progenitor cells that continue to proliferate and add new neurons and glia peripherally during the embryonic stages - even after the formation of a functional retina. To understand the molecular mechanism that controls the prolonged progenitor cell proliferation in the ciliary marginal zone, we employed a candidate molecule approach, focusing on Wnt2b (formerly know as Wnt13), which is expressed in the marginal most tip of the retina. Frizzled 4 and 5, seven-pass transmembrane Wnt receptors, were expressed in the peripheral and central part of the retina, respectively. LEF1, a downstream Wnt signaling component, was expressed at high levels in the ciliary marginal zone with expression gradually decreasing towards the central retina. The LEF1-expressing region, which is where Wnt signaling is supposedly activated, expressed a set of molecular markers that are characteristic of the progenitor cells in the ciliary marginal zone. Overexpression of Wnt2b by use of in ovo electroporation in the central retina inhibited neuronal differentiation and induced the progenitor cell markers. Blocking of the Wnt downstream signaling pathway by a dominant-negative LEF1 inhibited proliferation of the cells in the marginal area, which resulted in their premature neuronal differentiation. The progenitor cells in the ciliary marginal zone differentiated into all the neuronal and glial cell types when cultured in vitro, and they proliferated for a longer period than did centrally located progenitor cells that underwent a limited number of cell divisions. In addition, the proliferation of these progenitor cells was promoted in the presence of Wnt2b. These results suggest that Wnt2b functions to maintain undifferentiated progenitor cells in the ciliary marginal zone, and thus serves as a putative stem cell factor in the retina.
In Xenopus laevis embryos, the Wingless/Wnt-1 subclass of Wnt molecules induces axis duplication, whereas the Wnt-5A subclass does not. This difference could be explained by distinct signal transduction pathways or by a lack of one or more Wnt-5A receptors during axis formation. Wnt-5A induced axis duplication and an ectopic Spemann organizer in the presence of hFz5, a member of the Frizzled family of seven-transmembrane receptors. Wnt-5A/hFz5 signaling was antagonized by glycogen synthase kinase-3 and by the amino-terminal ectodomain of hFz5. These results identify hFz5 as a receptor for Wnt-5A.
A programmed cell death process which begins when a cell receives an internal (e.g. DNA damage) or external signal (e.g. an extracellular death ligand), and proceeds through a series of biochemical events (signaling pathways) which typically lead to rounding-up of the cell, retraction of pseudopodes, reduction of cellular volume (pyknosis), chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation (karyorrhexis), plasma membrane blebbing and fragmentation of the cell into apoptotic bodies. The process ends when the cell has died. The process is divided into a signaling pathway phase, and an execution phase, which is triggered by the former.
The process whose specific outcome is the progression of the brain over time, from its formation to the mature structure. Brain development begins with patterning events in the neural tube and ends with the mature structure that is the center of thought and emotion. The brain is responsible for the coordination and control of bodily activities and the interpretation of information from the senses (sight, hearing, smell, etc.).
The series of molecular signals initiated by binding of a Wnt protein to a frizzled family receptor on the surface of the target cell, followed by propagation of the signal via beta-catenin, and ending with a change in transcription of target genes. In this pathway, the activated receptor signals via downstream effectors that result in the inhibition of beta-catenin phosphorylation, thereby preventing degradation of beta-catenin. Stabilized beta-catenin can then accumulate and travel to the nucleus to trigger changes in transcription of target genes.
In Xenopus laevis embryos, the Wingless/Wnt-1 subclass of Wnt molecules induces axis duplication, whereas the Wnt-5A subclass does not. This difference could be explained by distinct signal transduction pathways or by a lack of one or more Wnt-5A receptors during axis formation. Wnt-5A induced axis duplication and an ectopic Spemann organizer in the presence of hFz5, a member of the Frizzled family of seven-transmembrane receptors. Wnt-5A/hFz5 signaling was antagonized by glycogen synthase kinase-3 and by the amino-terminal ectodomain of hFz5. These results identify hFz5 as a receptor for Wnt-5A.
Wnt proteins initiate the canonical (beta-catenin-regulated) signaling cascade by binding to seven-transmembrane spanning receptors of the Frizzled (Fz) family together with the coreceptors LRP5 and -6, members of the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein family (LRP). Several reports have shown physical and functional associations between various Wnt, LRP, and Frizzled molecules; however, the underlying mechanisms for selectivity remain poorly understood. We present data on a novel set of Wnt-Fz fusion constructs that are useful for elucidating mechanisms of Wnt signal transduction specificity in both Xenopus embryos and 293T cells. In 293T cells, coexpression of several Wnt-Fz fusion proteins with LRP6, but not LRP5, significantly activated a Wnt-responsive promoter, Optimized TOPFlash. Interestingly, Wnt proteins from both the Wnt1 and Wnt5A classes, when fused to the same Frizzled, can synergize with LRP6 to activate signaling and induce secondary axes in Xenopus embryos. However, when several Wnt-Fz constructs containing different Frizzled molecules were tested, it was found that all Frizzled molecules are not equivalent in their ability to activate the canonical Wnt pathway in this context. The data suggest that the distinction between the two Wnt classes lies not in intrinsic differences in the molecules but via the Frizzled molecules with which they interact.
WNT factors represent key mediators of many processes in animal development and homeostasis and act through a receptor complex comprised of members of the Frizzled and low density lipoprotein-related receptors (LRP). In mammals, 19 genes encoding Wingless and Int-related factor (WNTs), 10 encoding Frizzled, and 2 encoding LRP proteins have been identified, but little is known of the identities of individual Frizzled-LRP combinations mediating the effects of specific WNT factors. Additionally, several secreted modulators of WNT signaling have been identified, including at least three members of the Dickkopf family. WNT7A is a WNT family member expressed in the vertebrate central nervous system capable of modulating aspects of neuronal plasticity. Gene knock-out models in the mouse have revealed that WNT7A plays a role in cerebellar maturation, although its function in the development of distal limb structures and of the reproductive tract have been more intensely studied. To identify a receptor complex for this WNT family member, we have analyzed the response of the rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC12 to WNT7A. We find that PC12 cells are capable of responding to WNT7A as measured by increased beta-catenin stability and activation of a T-cell factor-based luciferase reporter construct and that these cells express three members of the Frizzled family (Frizzled-2, -5, and -7) and LRP6. Our functional analysis indicates that WNT7A can specifically act via a Frizzled-5.LRP6 receptor complex in PC12 cells and that this activity can be antagonized by Dickkopf-1 and Dickkopf-3.
Any process that results in a change in state or activity of a cell (in terms of movement, secretion, enzyme production, gene expression, etc.) as a result of a stimulus by molecules of bacterial origin such as peptides derived from bacterial flagellin.
Microarray--assisted gene--expression screens of human macrophages revealed WNT5A, a homolog of Wingless, a key regulator of Drosophila melanogaster embryonic segmentation and patterning, to be consistently up-regulated following stimulation with different mycobacterial species and conserved bacterial structures. The expression of WNT5A required Toll-like receptor signaling and NF-kappaB activation, which identifies a novel induction pathway for a Wingless homolog. We show that human peripheral-blood mononuclear cells express the WNT5A receptor Frizzled-5 (FZD5). Both WNT5A and FZD5 also were detected in granulomatous lesions in the lungs of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected patients. Functional studies showed that WNT5A and FZD5 regulate the microbially induced interleukin-12 response of antigen-presenting cells and interferon-gamma production by mycobacterial antigen-stimulated T cells. Our findings implicate the evolutionarily conserved WNT/Frizzled signaling system in bridging innate and adaptive immunity to infections.
Wnt proteins initiate the canonical (beta-catenin-regulated) signaling cascade by binding to seven-transmembrane spanning receptors of the Frizzled (Fz) family together with the coreceptors LRP5 and -6, members of the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein family (LRP). Several reports have shown physical and functional associations between various Wnt, LRP, and Frizzled molecules; however, the underlying mechanisms for selectivity remain poorly understood. We present data on a novel set of Wnt-Fz fusion constructs that are useful for elucidating mechanisms of Wnt signal transduction specificity in both Xenopus embryos and 293T cells. In 293T cells, coexpression of several Wnt-Fz fusion proteins with LRP6, but not LRP5, significantly activated a Wnt-responsive promoter, Optimized TOPFlash. Interestingly, Wnt proteins from both the Wnt1 and Wnt5A classes, when fused to the same Frizzled, can synergize with LRP6 to activate signaling and induce secondary axes in Xenopus embryos. However, when several Wnt-Fz constructs containing different Frizzled molecules were tested, it was found that all Frizzled molecules are not equivalent in their ability to activate the canonical Wnt pathway in this context. The data suggest that the distinction between the two Wnt classes lies not in intrinsic differences in the molecules but via the Frizzled molecules with which they interact.
The process occurring during the embryonic phase whose specific outcome is the progression of the eye over time, from its formation to the mature structure.
The process whose specific outcome is the progression of the gonad over time, from its formation to the mature structure. The gonad is an animal organ that produces gametes; in some species it also produces hormones.
The process whose specific outcome is the progression of a blood vessel of the labyrinthine layer of the placenta over time, from its formation to the mature structure. The embryonic vessels grow through the layer to come in close contact with the maternal blood supply.
Any process that activates or increases the frequency, rate, or extent of interferon-gamma production. Interferon-gamma is also known as type II interferon.
Microarray--assisted gene--expression screens of human macrophages revealed WNT5A, a homolog of Wingless, a key regulator of Drosophila melanogaster embryonic segmentation and patterning, to be consistently up-regulated following stimulation with different mycobacterial species and conserved bacterial structures. The expression of WNT5A required Toll-like receptor signaling and NF-kappaB activation, which identifies a novel induction pathway for a Wingless homolog. We show that human peripheral-blood mononuclear cells express the WNT5A receptor Frizzled-5 (FZD5). Both WNT5A and FZD5 also were detected in granulomatous lesions in the lungs of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected patients. Functional studies showed that WNT5A and FZD5 regulate the microbially induced interleukin-12 response of antigen-presenting cells and interferon-gamma production by mycobacterial antigen-stimulated T cells. Our findings implicate the evolutionarily conserved WNT/Frizzled signaling system in bridging innate and adaptive immunity to infections.
WNT factors represent key mediators of many processes in animal development and homeostasis and act through a receptor complex comprised of members of the Frizzled and low density lipoprotein-related receptors (LRP). In mammals, 19 genes encoding Wingless and Int-related factor (WNTs), 10 encoding Frizzled, and 2 encoding LRP proteins have been identified, but little is known of the identities of individual Frizzled-LRP combinations mediating the effects of specific WNT factors. Additionally, several secreted modulators of WNT signaling have been identified, including at least three members of the Dickkopf family. WNT7A is a WNT family member expressed in the vertebrate central nervous system capable of modulating aspects of neuronal plasticity. Gene knock-out models in the mouse have revealed that WNT7A plays a role in cerebellar maturation, although its function in the development of distal limb structures and of the reproductive tract have been more intensely studied. To identify a receptor complex for this WNT family member, we have analyzed the response of the rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC12 to WNT7A. We find that PC12 cells are capable of responding to WNT7A as measured by increased beta-catenin stability and activation of a T-cell factor-based luciferase reporter construct and that these cells express three members of the Frizzled family (Frizzled-2, -5, and -7) and LRP6. Our functional analysis indicates that WNT7A can specifically act via a Frizzled-5.LRP6 receptor complex in PC12 cells and that this activity can be antagonized by Dickkopf-1 and Dickkopf-3.
Evidence
2:
Inferred from Genetic InteractionBHF-UCL
Frizzled proteins act as putative Wnt receptors and depending on Wnt/Frizzled interactions distinct intracellular pathways can be activated. The canonical Wnt pathway, triggered by Wnt-1-type ligands, is the best characterized and involves the activation of the cytoplasmic protein Dishevelled (Dsh). The Xenopus frizzled 7 receptor (Xfz7) can act in the canonical (Wnt-1-type) as well as in a non-canonical Wnt pathway which involves the activation of protein kinase C (PKC). In order to analyze the interaction between Xfz7 and Xdsh protein, we tested the effect of overexpression of Xfz7 on the subcellular distribution of Xdsh-myc protein. We demonstrate that Xfz7 can recruit Xdsh-myc to the plasma membrane and target genes of the Wnt-1-type pathway such as siamois and nodal related 3 (Xnr-3) are only activated in the presence of exogenous Xdsh-myc. Xfz7 in combination with Xwnt-8b, however, is able to induce siamois even in the absence of Xdsh-myc. Similar results were obtained after expression of Human frizzled 5 (Hfz5) together with Xwnt-5a but this receptor-ligand combination recruits Xdsh-myc only very poorly to the membrane. These results suggests that the endogenous Xdsh pool and exogenous Xdsh-myc differ in their ability to be recruited by Frizzled receptors.
The process occurring during the post-embryonic phase whose specific outcome is the progression of the camera-type eye over time, from its formation to the mature structure.
In Xenopus laevis embryos, the Wingless/Wnt-1 subclass of Wnt molecules induces axis duplication, whereas the Wnt-5A subclass does not. This difference could be explained by distinct signal transduction pathways or by a lack of one or more Wnt-5A receptors during axis formation. Wnt-5A induced axis duplication and an ectopic Spemann organizer in the presence of hFz5, a member of the Frizzled family of seven-transmembrane receptors. Wnt-5A/hFz5 signaling was antagonized by glycogen synthase kinase-3 and by the amino-terminal ectodomain of hFz5. These results identify hFz5 as a receptor for Wnt-5A.
The process in which a precursor cell type acquires the specialized features of a T cell via a differentiation pathway dependent upon transit through the thymus.
IBARefGenome
Wnt receptor signaling pathway involved in dorsal/ventral axis specificationdefinition[GO:0044332]
The series of molecular signals initiated by binding of Wnt protein to a frizzled family receptor on the surface of the target cell contributing to the establishment, maintenance and elaboration of the dorsal/ventral axis.
The Wnt family of secreted signalling molecules are essential in embryo development and tumour formation. The Frizzled (Fz) family of serpentine receptors function as Wnt receptors, but how Fz proteins transduce signalling is not understood. In Drosophila, arrow phenocopies the wingless (DWnt-1) phenotype, and encodes a transmembrane protein that is homologous to two members of the mammalian low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)-related protein (LRP) family, LRP5 and LRP6 (refs 12-15). Here we report that LRP6 functions as a co-receptor for Wnt signal transduction. In Xenopus embryos, LRP6 activated Wnt-Fz signalling, and induced Wnt responsive genes, dorsal axis duplication and neural crest formation. An LRP6 mutant lacking the carboxyl intracellular domain blocked signalling by Wnt or Wnt-Fz, but not by Dishevelled or beta-catenin, and inhibited neural crest development. The extracellular domain of LRP6 bound Wnt-1 and associated with Fz in a Wnt-dependent manner. Our results indicate that LRP6 may be a component of the Wnt receptor complex.
Protein involved in the Wnt signaling pathway. Wnts are a large family of cysteine-rich secreted glycoproteins that control development in organisms ranging from nematodes to mammals. Wnt genes are defined by sequence homology to the original members of the family, Wnt1 in the mouse and wingless (wg) in Drosophila. Wnt signaling is a very complex pathway which includes numerous ligands, receptors and transcriptional effectors. There is a well-characterized canonical pathway as well as diverse, less-characterized noncanonical pathways. Several components of Wnt signaling are implicated in the genesis of human cancer.
Protein involved in development, the process whereby a multicellular organism develops from its early immature forms, e.g., zygote, larva, embryo, into an adult.
Receptors which transduce extracellular signals across the cell membrane. At the external side they receive a ligand (a photon in case of opsins), and at the cytosolic side they activate a guanine nucleotide-binding (G) protein. These receptors are hydrophobic proteins that cross the membrane seven times.
A reference proteome is a set of protein sequences derived from a complete proteome which constitutes a defined standard for a particular user community. Reference proteomes are manually defined according to a number of criteria. They cover the proteomes of well- studied model organisms and other proteomes of interest for biomedical and biotechnological research. Reference proteomes have been selected to provide broad coverage of the tree of life, and constitute a representative cross-section of the taxonomic diversity to be found within UniProtKB.