Convergence of Wnt, beta-catenin, and cadherin pathways.
The specification and proper arrangements of new cell types during tissue differentiation require the coordinated regulation of gene expression and precise interactions between neighboring cells. Of the many growth factors involved in these events, Wnts are particularly interesting regulators, because a key component of their signaling pathway, beta-catenin, also functions as a component of the cadherin complex, which controls cell-cell adhesion and influences cell migration. Here, we assemble evidence of possible interrelations between Wnt and other growth factor signaling, beta-catenin functions, and cadherin-mediated adhesion.
Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Beckman Center for Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. wjnelson@stanford.edu
W James
WJ
Nelson
Roel
R
Nusse
D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D002465:Cell Movement; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin
C495270:CTNNB1 protein, human; D015820:Cadherins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D006133:Growth Substances; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin