Modulation of Wnt signaling by Axin and Axil

The Wnt signaling pathway is conserved in various species from worms to mammals, and plays important roles in development, cellular proliferation, and differentiation. The molecular mechanisms by which the Wnt signal regulates cellular functions are becoming increasingly well understood. Wnt stabilizes cytoplasmic beta-catenin, which stimulates the expression of genes including c-myc, c-jun, fra-1, and cyclin D1. Axin and its homolog Axil, newly recognized as components of the Wnt signaling pathway, negatively regulate this pathway. Other components of the Wnt signaling pathway, including Dvl, glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta), beta-catenin, and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), interact with Axin, and the phosphorylation and stability of beta-catenin are regulated in the Axin complex. Axil has similar functions to Axin. Thus, Axin and Axil act as scaffold proteins in the Wnt signaling pathway, thereby modulating the Wnt-dependent cellular functions.