Rogue proliferation versus restorative protection: where do we draw the line for Wnt and forkhead signaling?
BACKGROUND
Disease entities such as diabetes, neurodegeneration and cardiovascular disorders affect a significant portion of the world's population.


OBJECTIVE
Given that cellular survival and longevity in multiple disorders are tied to oxidative stress, apoptotic cell injury and immune system deregulation, the development of robust therapeutic strategies rests heavily upon the ability to balance each of these parameters.


METHODS
Here we discuss two exciting signaling pathways, namely Wnt and mammalian forkhead transcription factors predominantly of the O class superfamily, which can share integrated cytoprotective pathways during oxidative stress but may also adversely influence cellular survival and promote cancer cell proliferation.


CONCLUSIONS
Future investigations must elucidate the cellular determinants that govern the ability of Wnt and forkhead proteins to promote cellular longevity and possible disease remission but also allow for detrimental biological consequences and clinical compromise.
Wayne State University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, 8C-1 UHC, 4201 Street, Antoine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. kmaiese@med.wayne.edu
Kenneth
K
Maiese
Zhao Zhong
ZZ
Chong
Yan Chen
YC
Shang
Jinling
J
Hou
D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D051153:Wnt Proteins