Nuclear Dishevelled: An enigmatic role in governing cell fate and Wnt signaling

Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Res. 2022 Oct;1869(10):119305. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2022.119305. Epub 2022 Jun 8.

Abstract

The Dishevelled gene was first identified in Drosophila mutants with disoriented hair and bristle polarity and subsequent work has now demonstrated its importance in critical and diverse aspects of biology. Since those early discoveries, Dishevelled has been shown to coordinate a plethora of developmental and cellular processes that range from controlling cell polarity during gastrulation to partnering with chromatin modifying enzymes to regulate histone methylation at genomic loci. While the role of DVL in development is well-respected and the cytosolic function of DVL has been studied more extensively, its nuclear role continues to remain murky. In this review we highlight some of the seminal discoveries that have contributed to the field, but the primary focus is to discuss recent advances with respect to the nuclear role of Dishevelled. This nuclear function of Dishevelled is a dimension which is proving to be increasingly important yet remains enigmatic.

Keywords: Cancer; Dishevelled; EZH2; KMT2D; Nucleus; Post translational modifications; Robinow syndrome; SIRT1; TCF; Wnt; beta-catenin; epigenetic regulation; histone deacetylases; histone methyl transferases; lysine acetylation; lysine methylation; nuclear translocation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cell Nucleus / genetics
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Dishevelled Proteins / genetics
  • Dishevelled Proteins / metabolism
  • Gastrulation
  • Wnt Proteins* / metabolism
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway*

Substances

  • Dishevelled Proteins
  • Wnt Proteins