Wingless-type MMTV integration site family member 2B (WNT2B)

Wingless-type MMTV integration site family member 2B (WNT2B) is a secreted glycoprotein belonging to the Wnt family of signaling ligands, crucial in the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway[1][5][7]. It plays fundamental roles in embryonic development, stem cell renewal, regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation, and maintenance of tissue homeostasis, especially in organs like the intestine and CNS[5][7]. WNT2B is also involved in mitochondrial function and has been implicated in several cancers and neurodegenerative diseases, showing context-dependent functions in tissue repair, carcinogenesis, and neuronal protection[3][6]. WNT2B activity is essential for proper stem cell niche maintenance; loss or dysregulation leads to profound tissue defects or promotes tumor progression depending on context[4][7]. There are currently no approved drugs specifically targeting WNT2B, but broader modulators of the Wnt pathway are under investigation[2][8].

Other names

Wnt-2bWNT13Protein Wnt-13XWNT2Protein Wnt-2bwingless-type MMTV integration site family, member 13

Ligands such as WNT2B activate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway by binding Frizzled and LRP5/6 receptors, stabilizing β-catenin and promoting expression of target genes affecting proliferation, differentiation, and survival[2][8].