Wnt Protein (Wnt)

Wnt proteins are a family of highly conserved, secreted glycoproteins that play crucial roles in cell signaling. They orchestrate and influence a wide range of biological processes, including embryonic development, cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and tissue homeostasis. Wnt proteins are best known for their role as ligands in the Wnt signaling pathways, including the canonical (β-catenin) and noncanonical pathways.

Wnt proteins initiate signal transduction cascades upon binding to specific receptors on the cell surface, including Frizzled (Fz) receptors and LRP5/6 co-receptors, leading to activation of canonical (β-catenin-dependent) and noncanonical pathways.