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Updated: Feb 25, 2026

Modeling Paracrine Noncanonical Wnt Signaling In Vitro
Published on: December 10, 2021
The connections of Wnt pathway components with cell cycle and centrosome: side effects or a hidden logic?
Vítězslav Bryja1, Igor Červenka2, Lukáš Čajánek3
1a Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science , Masaryk University , Brno , Czech Republic.
Abstract:
Wnt signaling cascade has developed together with multicellularity to orchestrate the development and homeostasis of complex structures. Wnt pathway components - such as β-catenin, Dishevelled (DVL), Lrp6, and Axin-- are often dedicated proteins that emerged in evolution together with the Wnt signaling cascade and are believed to function primarily in the Wnt cascade. It is interesting to see that in recent literature many of these proteins are connected with cellular functions that are more ancient and not limited to multicellular organisms - such as cell cycle regulation, centrosome biology, or cell division. In this review, we summarize the recent literature describing this crosstalk. Specifically, we attempt to find the answers to the following questions: Is the response to Wnt ligands regulated by the cell cycle? Is the centrosome and/or cilium required to activate the Wnt pathway? How do Wnt pathway components regulate the centrosomal cycle and cilia formation and function? We critically review the evidence that describes how these connections are regulated and how they help to integrate cell-to-cell communication with the cell and the centrosomal cycle in order to achieve a fine-tuned, physiological response.
Insights
This review explores the Wnt signaling pathway
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The Wnt signaling cascade is crucial for multicellular development and homeostasis.
- Key Wnt pathway components like beta-catenin and Dishevelled (DVL) are ancient proteins.
- Recent findings link Wnt proteins to fundamental cellular processes like cell cycle and centrosome biology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the crosstalk between Wnt signaling and cell cycle/centrosome biology.
- To investigate if cell cycle regulates Wnt ligand response.
- To determine the role of centrosomes/cilia in Wnt pathway activation.
- To understand how Wnt components influence centrosome cycle and cilia.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent scientific publications.
- Critical analysis of evidence on Wnt pathway interactions.
- Synthesis of findings on cell cycle and Wnt signaling.
- Examination of Wnt's role in centrosome and cilia biology.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests a complex interplay between Wnt signaling and cell cycle progression.
- Centrosomes and cilia are implicated in Wnt pathway activation and regulation.
- Wnt pathway components actively modulate centrosome cycle and cilia function.
- This crosstalk integrates cell-cell communication with cellular machinery.
Conclusions:
- Wnt signaling is intricately linked with cell cycle and centrosome biology.
- This integration allows for fine-tuned physiological responses.
- Understanding this crosstalk is vital for comprehending development and homeostasis.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate these complex interactions.
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