Vital Elements of the Wnt-Frizzled Signaling Pathway in the Nervous System

Authors: Li, F.1; Chong, Z. Z.1; Maiese, K.1

Source: Current Neurovascular Research, Volume 2, Number 4, October 2005 , pp. 331-340(10)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Key:
Free Content - Free Content
New Content - New Content
Subscribed Content - Subscribed Content
Free Trial Content - Free Trial Content

Abstract:

Wnt proteins are cysteine-rich glycosylated proteins named after the Drosophilia Wingless (Wg) and the mouse Int-1 genes that play a role in embryonic cell patterning, proliferation, differentiation, orientation, adhesion, survival, and programmed cell death (PCD). Wnt proteins involve at least two intracellular signaling pathways. One pathway controls target gene transcription through bgr-catenin, generally referred to as the canonical pathway and a second pathway pertains to intracellular calcium (Ca2+) release which is termed the non-canonical or Wnt/ Ca2+ pathway. The majority of Wnt proteins activate gene transcription through the canonical signaling pathway regulated by pathways that include the Frizzled transmembrane receptor and the co-receptor LRP-5/6, Dishevelled, glycogen synthase kinase-3bgr (GSK-3bgr), adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), and bgr-catenin. In contrast, the noncanonical Wnt signaling pathway has two intracellular signaling cascades that consist of the Wnt/ Ca2+ pathway with protein kinase C (PKC) and the Wnt/PCP pathway involving Rho/Rac small GTPase and Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Through a series of signaling pathways, Wnt proteins modulate cell development, proliferation, and cell fate. In regards to cell survival and fate through PCD, Wnt may be critical for the prevention of tissue pathology that involves cytokine and growth factor control during disorders such as neuropsychiatric disease, retinal disease, and Alzheimer's disease. Elucidation of the vital elements that shape and control the Wnt-Frizzled signaling pathway may provide significant prospects for the treatment of disorders of the nervous system.

Keywords: adenomatous polyposis coli; akt; alzheimers; b-catenin; dishevelled; erythropoietin; frizzled; gsk-b; neurons; psychiatric

Document Type: Review article

DOI: 10.2174/156720205774322557

Affiliations: 1: Department of Neurology, 8C-1 UHC, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4201 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$55.10 plus tax      Refund Policy

 

OR

Back to top

Key:
Free Content - Free Content
New Content - New Content
Subscribed Content - Subscribed Content
Free Trial Content - Free Trial Content
Share this item with others: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
Page Help Click here for Page Help
Shopping cart
Tools
Sign in






Need to register?
Sign up here
Text size: A | A | A | A