Endocytic trafficking and Wnt/β-catenin signaling

Curr Drug Targets. 2011 Jul 1;12(8):1216-22. doi: 10.2174/138945011795906552.

Abstract

Several mechanisms function in the endocytic regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to promote or interrupt the progression of critical cellular processes during embryonic development or disease progression. Endocytosis was initially associated with the formation of a morphogen gradient of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, but current studies have documented its role in defining signal intensity and propagation. Although the exact parameters that define and dictate the internalization of Wnt receptors and co-receptors via clathrin- or caveolae-mediated endocytosis remain unclear, new studies indicate that the trafficking of the signaling pool of the dual-function protein beta-catenin from sites of cell-cell contacts serve as a mechanism to finely tune the outcome of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling. This review discusses the endocytic regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling that occurs at the cell surface as well as within the cell.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / physiology
  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • Endocytosis / physiology
  • Endosomes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Protein Transport
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Wnt Proteins / physiology*
  • beta Catenin / physiology*

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Wnt Proteins
  • beta Catenin