Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal malignancies in the world. Several signaling pathways, including the wingless/int-1 (Wnt) signaling pathway, have been shown to be commonly activated in HCC. The Wnt signaling pathway can be triggered via both catenin β1 (CTNNB1)-dependent (also known as "canonical") and CTNNB1-independent (often referred to as "non-canonical") pathways. ...

The non-canonical NF-κB pathway is crucial for the immune system. A critical event in activation of the non-canonical pathway is the attenuation of NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) degradation, which is promoted by continuous polyubiquitination of NIK catalyzed by the NIK ubiquitin-ligase complex composed of cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein 1 and 2 (cIAP1/2), TNF receptor-associated factor 2 ...

The multilineage commitment of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is controlled via unknown mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the regulation of the differentiation of MSCs into chondrocytes via the Wnt signaling pathway. Overexpression of WNT3A in MSCs activated both the canonical and non-canonical Wnt pathways, which were responsible for different WNT3A-induced outcomes. WNT3A promoted MSC...

Germline stem cell (GSC) self-renewal and differentiation into gametes is regulated by both intrinsic factors in the germ line as well as extrinsic factors from the surrounding somatic niche. dWnt4, in the escort cells of the adult somatic niche promotes GSC differentiation using the canonical β-catenin-dependent transcriptional pathway to regulate escort cell survival, adhesion to the germ lin...

The canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays an important role in different developmental processes through the regulation of stem cell functions. In the activation of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway, β-catenin protein is imported into the nucleus and activates transcription of target genes including cyclin D1 and c-myc. Aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway contributes to carcinoge...

Lately Revealed by Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) the association of TCF7L2 and Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) which implicates underlying mechanism of this Wingless (WNT) pathway effector gene in pancreatic ß-cell development. Also, further research linking TCF7L2 to T2D and impaired ß-cell mass accomplished by insulin secretory malfunction, shed light on the regulatory function of this particu...

INTRODUCTION Canonical and non-canonical Wnt pathways are involved in the genesis of multiple tumors; however, their role in pituitary tumorigenesis is mostly unknown. OBJECTIVE This study evaluated gene and protein expression of Wnt pathways in pituitary tumors and whether these expression correlate to clinical outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS Genes of the WNT canonical pathway: activating l...

The inner ear consists of two otocyst-derived, structurally and functionally distinct components: the dorsal vestibular and ventral auditory compartments. BMP signaling is required to form the vestibular compartment, but how it complements other required signaling molecules and acts intracellularly is unknown. Using spatially and temporally controlled delivery of signaling pathway regulators to...