title: Wnt signaling from membrane to nucleus: β-catenin caught in a loop.
abstract: β-catenin is the central nuclear effector of the Wnt signaling pathway, and regulates other cellular processes including cell adhesion. Wnt stimulation of cells culminates in the nuclear translocation of β-catenin and transcriptional activation of target genes that function during both normal and malignant development. Constitutive activation of the Wnt pathway leads to inappropriate nuclear accumulation of β-catenin and gene transactivation, an important step in cancer progression. This has generated interest in the mechanisms regulating β-catenin nuclear accumulation and retention. Here we discuss recent advances in understanding feedback loops that trap β-catenin in the nucleus and provide potential insights into Wnt signaling and the development of anti-cancer drugs.
authors.affiliation: Westmead Institute for Cancer Research, The University of Sydney, Westmead Millennium Institute at Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
authors.forename: Cara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jamieson
authors.forename: Manisha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Beric R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Henderson
mesh_terms: D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D005246:Feedback; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D051153:Wnt Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin