Frizzled class receptor 9 (FZD9) (FZD9)

Frizzled class receptor 9 (FZD9) is a seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor that serves as a critical mediator of the Wnt signaling pathway, influencing cell fate, proliferation, and tissue morphogenesis (UniProt: O00144). It is notably located within the 7q11.23 chromosomal region, and its hemizygous deletion is a primary contributor to the neurodevelopmental and skeletal abnormalities observed in Williams-Beuren syndrome (PubMed: 11438998). In oncology, FZD9 exhibits a dual role; it frequently acts as a tumor suppressor in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), where its loss promotes tumor growth, but it can also be overexpressed in certain leukemias and gastric cancers (PubMed: 15933045). The receptor is also essential for osteoblast differentiation, making it a significant factor in maintaining bone mineral density and a potential target for osteoporosis therapies (PubMed: 15528280). While there are currently no FDA-approved drugs specifically targeting FZD9, experimental approaches include the use of Wnt-7a mimetics to restore its tumor-suppressive signaling or monoclonal antibodies for targeted therapy in specific malignancies.

Other names

Frizzled-9Fz-9FzE6CD349Frizzled 9

Agonism of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway to restore tumor suppression or antagonism to inhibit oncogenic signaling.