Tumor formation due to abnormalities in the beta-catenin-independent pathway of Wnt signaling.
Wnt signaling is a complex pathway in which beta-catenin is typically viewed as a central mediator in regulating cell proliferation and differentiation. The significance of Wnt signaling in human cancer has been elucidated by the identification of mutations in genes coding for the beta-catenin-dependent pathway components, adenomatous polyposis coli gene product, beta-catenin, and Axin. Within the past 15 years, evidence has been growing of a beta-catenin-independent pathway in Wnt signaling. It is likely that this pathway activates several intracellular signaling systems to regulate cell migration, adhesion, and polarity. The beta-catenin-independent pathway has also been shown to play an important role in tumor biology. In contrast to the beta-catenin-dependent pathway, which is upregulated in many cancers and serves as a tumor promoter, the role of the beta-catenin-independent pathway is still controversial. Here we review recent developments in both the functions and mechanisms of the beta-catenin-independent pathway, with an emphasis on its functional contribution to human tumor progression.
Kikuchi
Akira
A
Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan. akikuchi@hiroshima-u.ac.jp
Yamamoto
Hideki
H
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D000072261:Dishevelled Proteins; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000072261:Dishevelled Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D002118:Calcium