Abstract
Wnt proteins are highly conserved secreted proteins that are essential for embryogenesis in all metazoan organisms. Insights into the mechanism of Wnt signaling have emerged from several systems: originally genetics in Drosophila, developmental biology in Xenopus and biochemistry in cell culture. Wnt proteins bind to cell-surface receptors and activates several intracellular cascade: (1)β-catenin pathway, (2)planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway, (3)Ca2+ pathway. β-catenin pathway regulates cell proliferation and differentiation and the abnormalities are contributory to various human diseases. PCP pathway and Ca2+ pathway are known as β-catenin independent pathways regulates cell migration, polarity, and morphogenesis. Here we review recent developments in both the functions and mechanisms of the β-catenin-independent pathway.
