Wnt signaling in lymphopoiesis.
Wnt signaling elicits changes in gene expression and cell physiology through beta-catenin and LEF1/TCF proteins. The signal transduction pathway regulates many cellular and developmental processes, including cell proliferation, cell fate decisions and differentiation. In cells that have been stimulated by a Wnt protein, cytoplasmic beta-catenin is stabilized and transferred to the nucleus, where it interacts with the nuclear mediators of Wnt signaling, the LEF1/TCF proteins, to elicit a transcriptional response. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments in the mouse have provided insight into the role of this signaling pathway in lymphopoiesis. The self-renewal and maintenance of hematopoietic stem cells is regulated by Wnt signals. Differentiation of T cells and natural killer cells is blocked in the absence of LEF1/TCF proteins, and pro-B cell proliferation is regulated by Wnt signaling.
Gene Center and Institute of Biochemistry, University of Munich, Germany.
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Timm
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Grosschedl
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology; D038041:Lymphopoiesis; D051379:Mice; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D051820:TCF Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D051820:TCF Transcription Factors; D051153:Wnt Proteins