Work

Toggling a conformational switch in Wnt/β‐catenin signaling: Regulation of Axin phosphorylation

Year: 2013

Type: review

Abstract: The precise orchestration of two opposing protein complexes - one in the cytoplasm (β-catenin destruction complex) and the other at the plasma membrane (LRP6 signaling complex) - is critical for controlling levels of the transcriptional co-factor β-catenin, and subsequent activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signal transduction pathway. The Wnt pathway component Axin acts as an essential scaffold for the assembly of both complexes. How the β-catenin destruction and LRP6 signaling complexes are modulated following Wnt stimulation remains controversial. A recent study in Science by He and coworkers reveals an underlying logic for Wnt pathway control in which Axin phosphorylation toggles a switch between the active and inactive states. This mini-review focuses on this and two other recent studies that provide insight into the initial signaling events triggered by Wnt exposure. We emphasize regulation of the β-catenin destruction and LRP6 signaling complexes and propose a framework for future work in this area.

Source: BioEssays

DOI: 10.1002/bies.201300101

Authors: Ofelia Tacchelly‐Benites, Zhenghan Wang, Eungi Yang, Ethan Lee, Yashi Ahmed

Institutions: Dartmouth College, Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Wnt/β-catenin signaling in development and cancer

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Emerald Foundation, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Awards: G1871020920, G2377681478, APC Tumor Suppressor in Cell Differentiation and Death, APC Tumor Suppressor in Cell Differentiation and Death