[WNT-β-catenin signaling pathway and its relationship with cancer]

Cir Cir. 2012 Jul-Aug;80(4):389-98.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

The Wnt-β-catenin signalling pathway plays a crucial role in the regulation, differentiation, proliferation and cellular death processes; consequently, alterations in this pathway are involved in numerous abnormalities of development, growth and homeostasis in animal organisms. Wnt proteins include a numerous family of secretion glycoproteins which join to Frizzled receptors and Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein, in order to stabilize the critical β-catenin protein, and to initiate an intricate signaling cascade, which is related to multiple nucleocytoplasmatic processes. Alterations in the canonical Wnt-β-catenin signaling pathway have been associated with variations in a number of proteins participating in this route, or with activation / inactivation of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, which explain different processes of tumorigenesis, in addition to a number of malformations and human diseases. This review describes the relations between the Wnt-β-catenin signaling pathway with different neoplasic processes, as well as its application in the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Gene Silencing
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / physiology
  • Leukemia / genetics
  • Leukemia / metabolism
  • Leukemia / physiopathology
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Neoplasm Proteins / physiology
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / physiopathology*
  • Neoplasms / therapy
  • Wnt Proteins / physiology
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway*
  • beta Catenin / physiology

Substances

  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Wnt Proteins
  • beta Catenin