What is canonical and non-canonical?
The canonical pathway is defined by the intracellular accumulation of β-catenin, and its resulting translocation to the nucleus where it regulates expression of target genes. The non-canonical pathway is defined by its β-catenin-independent actions ranging from intracellular signalling and expression of target genes.
What is non-canonical Wnt signaling?
The term non-canonical pathway refers to a group of wnt-dependent signalling pathways which do not lead to the cytoplasmic stabilization of soluble β-catenin. Two of these pathways have been well characterized: the planar cell polarity (PCP) and the wnt-Calcium pathway.
What Wnt means?
The term “Wnt” is derived from the terms wingless and int. The name Wnt is a portmanteau of int and Wg and stands for “Wingless-related integration site”. Wnts are secreted factors that regulate cell growth, motility, and differentiation during embryonic development.
What does the canonical Wnt pathway do?
The canonical Wnt pathway leads to regulation of gene transcription, and is thought to be negatively regulated in part by the SPATS1 gene. The noncanonical planar cell polarity pathway regulates the cytoskeleton that is responsible for the shape of the cell.
What are Wnt ligands?
Wnt ligands are a large family of secreted glycoproteins that are cysteine-rich and highly hydrophobic. Wnts are produced as precursor proteins that contain a short N-terminal signal sequence and a mature segment that varies in length from approximately 320 to 400 amino acids.
What activates Wnt Signalling?
Wnt signaling begins when a Wnt protein binds to the N-terminal extra-cellular cysteine-rich domain of a Frizzled (Fz) family receptor. These receptors span the plasma membrane seven times and constitute a distinct family of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs).
Which Wnt pathway is canonical?
The canonical Wnt pathway (or Wnt/β-catenin pathway) is the Wnt pathway that causes an accumulation of β-catenin in the cytoplasm and its eventual translocation into the nucleus to act as a transcriptional coactivator of transcription factors that belong to the TCF/LEF family.