title: Axin: a master scaffold for multiple signaling pathways.
abstract: Axin was originally identified from the characterization of the Fused locus, the disruption of which leads to duplication of axis and embryonic lethality. It is a multidomain protein that interacts with multiple proteins and functions as a negative regulator of Wnt signaling by downregulating the beta-catenin levels. Recently, it was demonstrated that Axin also plays an important role in a JNK signaling pathway. Axin utilizes discriminatory domains for its distinct roles in the Wnt pathway and in the Axin/JNK pathway. Here we review the data that show how Axin regulates multiple signaling pathways by serving as a scaffold protein, controlling diverse cellular functions in proliferation, fate determination, and suppression of tumorigenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Sheng-Cai
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D060466:Axin Protein; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000378:metabolism; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin
chemical_list: D060466:Axin Protein; C495270:CTNNB1 protein, human; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases