The Wnt signaling pathway in development and disease.

TitleThe Wnt signaling pathway in development and disease.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2004
AuthorsLogan CY, Nusse R
JournalAnnu Rev Cell Dev Biol
Volume20
Pagination781–810
ISSN1081-0706 (Print); 1081-0706 (Linking)
AbstractTight control of cell-cell communication is essential for the generation of a normally patterned embryo. A critical mediator of key cell-cell signaling events during embryogenesis is the highly conserved Wnt family of secreted proteins. Recent biochemical and genetic analyses have greatly enriched our understanding of how Wnts signal, and the list of canonical Wnt signaling components has exploded. The data reveal that multiple extracellular, cytoplasmic, and nuclear regulators intricately modulate Wnt signaling levels. In addition, receptor-ligand specificity and feedback loops help to determine Wnt signaling outputs. Wnts are required for adult tissue maintenance, and perturbations in Wnt signaling promote both human degenerative diseases and cancer. The next few years are likely to see novel therapeutic reagents aimed at controlling Wnt signaling in order to alleviate these conditions.
DOI10.1146/annurev.cellbio.20.010403.113126