WNT signaling pathway

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WNT Pathway - The Key Players

  • Ligand: WNT proteins (secreted glycoproteins).
  • Receptors: Frizzled (FZD) family (transmembrane proteins) & LRP5/6 (co-receptor).
  • Cytoplasmic Mediators: Dishevelled (Dsh), β-catenin, and the destruction complex (Axin, APC, GSK-3β).
  • Nuclear Effectors: TCF/LEF family of transcription factors.

Wnt signaling pathway: OFF vs. ON states

High-Yield: The Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) gene is a tumor suppressor. Its inactivation is a key step in colorectal cancer, leading to constitutive WNT pathway activation due to β-catenin accumulation.

Canonical Pathway - The 'Off' Switch

  • No WNT Ligand: In the absence of WNT, the Frizzled (Fz) receptor and its co-receptor LRP5/6 are inactive.
  • Active Destruction Complex: A cytoplasmic protein assembly-comprising Axin, Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC), Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β (GSK-3β), and Casein Kinase 1 (CK1)-is active.
  • β-Catenin Phosphorylation: This complex sequentially phosphorylates β-catenin, tagging it for destruction.
  • Proteasomal Degradation: Tagged β-catenin is ubiquitinated and rapidly degraded by the proteasome, keeping cytosolic levels low.
  • Gene Repression: In the nucleus, TCF/LEF transcription factors are bound by the Groucho co-repressor, silencing WNT target genes.

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⭐ Germline mutations in the APC gene, a tumor suppressor, cause Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), leading to a near 100% risk of colorectal cancer if untreated.

Canonical Pathway - The 'On' Switch

  • Activation: Wnt ligand binds to the Frizzled (Fz) and LRP5/6 co-receptor complex.
  • Signal Transduction:
    • Recruits Dishevelled (Dsh).
    • Dsh inhibits the β-catenin "destruction complex" (Axin, APC, GSK-3β).
  • β-catenin Accumulation:
    • Unphosphorylated β-catenin is no longer degraded.
    • Cytoplasmic levels ↑, leading to nuclear translocation.
  • Gene Transcription:
    • In the nucleus, β-catenin displaces the Groucho repressor from TCF/LEF transcription factors.
    • Activates target genes for cell proliferation & differentiation.

Wnt pathway activation and inactivation with β-catenin

⭐ Mutations in the APC gene, a core part of the destruction complex, are central to most sporadic colorectal cancers. This causes constant Wnt activation, driving tumor growth.

Clinical Tie-Ins - When WNT Goes Wild

  • Oncogenesis: Aberrant WNT activation is a key driver in many cancers. The pathway's failure to switch off leads to unchecked cell proliferation and tumor formation.
  • Colorectal Cancer (CRC): The most classic association.
    • Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP): An autosomal dominant condition caused by a germline mutation in the APC gene. This leads to thousands of polyps and a near 100% risk of CRC if the colon is not removed.
    • Sporadic CRC: Acquired mutations in APC or β-catenin are found in the vast majority of cases.

⭐ The APC gene is a quintessential tumor suppressor. Its inactivation is the gatekeeping event in the adenoma-carcinoma sequence for most colorectal cancers.

  • Other Malignancies: WNT dysregulation is also implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma, medulloblastoma, breast, and ovarian cancers.
  • Therapeutic Targets: The pathway is a major focus for drug development, with agents targeting various components like Porcupine (WNT secretion) and β-catenin.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • WNT ligands bind to Frizzled (Fz) and LRP coreceptors, initiating the cascade.
  • Without WNT, a destruction complex (containing APC, Axin, GSK3β) phosphorylates and degrades β-catenin.
  • WNT signaling inhibits the destruction complex, causing β-catenin to accumulate in the cytoplasm.
  • Accumulated β-catenin translocates to the nucleus, acting as a transcriptional coactivator.
  • It promotes genes involved in cell proliferation, polarity, and fate determination.
  • Mutations in APC lead to unregulated β-catenin, causing familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).

Practice Questions: WNT signaling pathway

Test your understanding with these related questions

A group of researchers is studying molecules and DNA segments that are critical for important cellular processes in eukaryotic cells. They have identified a region that is located about 28 bases upstream of the 5’ coding region. This region promotes the initiation of transcription by binding with transcription factors. Which of the following regions have these researchers most likely identified?

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Flashcards: WNT signaling pathway

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What is the mechanism that results in malignancy from the RAS oncogene?_____

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

What is the mechanism that results in malignancy from the RAS oncogene?_____

point mutation

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