title: Physiopathological aspects of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the male reproductive system.
abstract: The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway controls several biological processes throughout development and adult life. Dysregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling underlies a wide range of pathologies in animals and humans, including cancer in different tissues. In this review, we provide an update of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and the possible roles of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the biology of testis, epididymis and prostate. Data from our laboratory suggest the involvement of 17β-estradiol and estrogen receptors (ERs) on the regulation of β-catenin expression in rat Sertoli cells. We also provide emerging evidences of the involvement of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in testis and prostate cancer. Our understanding of the role of Wnt/β-Catenin signaling in male reproductive tissues is still evolving, and several questions are open to be addressed in the future.
authors.affiliation: Section of Experimental Endocrinology; Department of Pharmacology; Escola Paulista de Medicina; Universidade Federal de São Paulo; São Paulo, SP Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Paola G
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.forename: Carine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Royer
authors.forename: Raisa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pisolato
authors.forename: Fernanda N
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Cavalcanti
authors.forename: Thaís F G
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: Maria Fatima M
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Lazari
authors.forename: Catarina S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Porto
keywords: AR; ER; Sertoli cells; Wnt/β-catenin; cancer; epididymis; prostate; testis