Wnt signalling and cancer stem cells

J Espada, MB Calvo, S Díaz-Prado… - Clinical and Translational …, 2009 - Springer
J Espada, MB Calvo, S Díaz-Prado, V Medina
Clinical and Translational Oncology, 2009Springer
Intracellular signalling mediated by secreted Wnt proteins is essential for the establishment
of cell fates and proper tissue patterning during embryo development and for the regulation
of tissue homeostasis and stem cell function in adult tissues. Aberrant activation of Wnt
signalling pathways has been directly linked to the genesis of different tumours. Here, the
components and molecular mechanisms implicated in the transduction of Wnt signal, along
with important results supporting a central role for this signalling pathway in stem cell …
Abstract
Intracellular signalling mediated by secreted Wnt proteins is essential for the establishment of cell fates and proper tissue patterning during embryo development and for the regulation of tissue homeostasis and stem cell function in adult tissues. Aberrant activation of Wnt signalling pathways has been directly linked to the genesis of different tumours. Here, the components and molecular mechanisms implicated in the transduction of Wnt signal, along with important results supporting a central role for this signalling pathway in stem cell function regulation and carcinogenesis will be briefly reviewed.
Springer