Wnt5a Signaling in Normal and Cancer Stem Cells

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Yan Zhou1, Thomas J Kipps1,2, Suping Zhang1,2

  • 1Medical Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.

Stem Cells International
|May 12, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Wnt5a signaling impacts stem cell development and cancer. Its role, whether promoting or suppressing tumors, depends on specific cellular contexts and receptors, influencing processes like self-renewal and migration.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cancer Biology

Background:

  • Wnt5a activates noncanonical Wnt pathways, influencing canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
  • Wnt5a signaling is crucial for normal development, including stem cell functions and cell behaviors.
  • Aberrant Wnt5a signaling contributes to cancer progression, with both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive roles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on Wnt5a signaling in stem cells.
  • To explore Wnt5a's roles in embryogenesis and normal/neoplastic breast and ovarian tissues.
  • To highlight the receptor-dependent effects of Wnt5a signaling.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on Wnt5a signaling.
  • Analysis of Wnt5a's molecular mechanisms and roles.
  • Focus on stem cell self-renewal, proliferation, migration, and invasion.

Main Results:

  • Wnt5a signaling regulates normal and cancer stem cell self-renewal.
  • Wnt5a influences cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.
  • Wnt5a's effects are context-dependent, varying with target cell surface receptors.

Conclusions:

  • Wnt5a plays diverse roles in stem cell biology and cancer.
  • Receptor context is critical in determining Wnt5a's functional outcomes.
  • Further research into Wnt5a signaling mechanisms is warranted for therapeutic strategies.

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