Protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7) is an evolutionarily conserved transmembrane receptor with important roles in embryonic development and disease. Originally identified as a gene upregulated in colon cancer, it was later shown to regulate planar cell polarity (PCP) and directional cell movement. PTK7 is a Wnt co-receptor; however, its role in Wnt signaling remains controversial. Here, we find ev...

Dvl is a key protein that transmits the Wnt signal to the canonical beta-catenin pathway and the noncanonical planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway. We studied the roles of Rho-associated kinase (Rho-kinase), which is activated by Dvl in the PCP pathway of mammalian cells. The expression of Dvl-1, Wnt-1, or Wnt-3a activated Rho-kinase in COS cells, and this activation was inhibited by the Rho-bind...

Overweight characterized by inappropriate expansion of adipose cells (hypertrophic obesity) is associated with the metabolic syndrome and is caused by an inability to recruit and differentiate new precursor cells. We examined the role of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) and WNT activation in the regulation of human adipose cell differentiation. Cluster of differentiation (CD)14(+)/45(+) and ...

BACKGROUND Central sensitization-associated synaptic plasticity in the spinal cord dorsal horn (SCDH) critically contributes to the development of chronic pain, but understanding of the underlying molecular pathways is still incomplete. Emerging evidence suggests that Wnt signaling plays a crucial role in regulation of synaptic plasticity. Little is known about the potential function of the Wnt...

Wnt/β‑catenin is an important signaling pathways involved in the tumorgenesis, progression and maintenance of cancer stem cells (CSCs). In the present study, the role of Wnt/β‑catenin signaling in CSC‑mediated tumorigenesis and invasion in liver CSCs was investigated. A small population of cancer stem‑like side population (SP) cells (3.6%) from liver cancer samples were identified. The cells we...

How stem cells maintain their identity and potency as tissues change during growth is not well understood. In mammalian hair, it is unclear how hair follicle stem cells can enter an extended period of quiescence during the resting phase but retain stem cell potential and be subsequently activated for growth. Here, we use lineage tracing and gene expression mapping to show that the Wnt target ge...

In this issue of The EMBO Journal, Tanneberger et al demonstrate that Amer1/WTX, a tumour suppressor protein previously known for promoting b-catenin degradation and thus antagonizing Wnt signalling, is also required for LRP6 receptor phosphorylation and therefore activation of Wnt signalling. Amer1/WTX is recruited by PtdIns(4,5)P2 to the plasma membrane, and in turn recruits the Axin–GSK3 com...

Loss of function of the Wnt co-receptor, lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5, decreases bone formation, and a point mutation in this gene results in high bone mass, indicating the importance of this signaling pathway in bone formation. However, the exact mechanism is currently unknown. We examined a potential role for Wnt signaling and functional cross-talk of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (B...

Background & Aims Mutations in the APC gene and other genes Wnt signaling pathway contribute to development of colorectal carcinomas. R-spondins (RSPOs) are secreted proteins that amplify intestinal stem cells. Alterations RSPO have been identified human tumors. We studied effects RSPO1 overexpression ApcMin/+ mutant mice. Methods An adeno associated viral vector encoding RSPO1-Fc fusion protei...

The insulinotropic hormone GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a new therapeutic agent that preserves or restores pancreatic beta cell mass. We report that GLP-1 and its agonist, exendin-4 (Exd4), induce Wnt signaling in pancreatic beta cells, both isolated islets, and in INS-1 cells. Basal and GLP-1 agonist-induced proliferation of beta cells requires active Wnt signaling. Cyclin D1 and c-Myc, ...