Protein Wnt-3a is a
protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, res ...
that in humans is encoded by the ''WNT3A''
gene
In biology, the word gene (from , ; "... Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a b ...
.
The WNT gene family consists of structurally related genes that encode secreted
signaling proteins
In biology, cell signaling (cell signalling in British English) or cell communication is the ability of a cell to receive, process, and transmit signals with its environment and with itself. Cell signaling is a fundamental property of all cellula ...
. These proteins have are critical in tissue homeostasis,
embryonic development, and disease.
Signaling and Related Genes
WNT3A is highly related to the WNT3 gene in sequence and protein function. WNT3A and WNT3 signal similarly through primarily the
beta-catenin
Catenin beta-1, also known as beta-catenin (β-catenin), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''CTNNB1'' gene.
Beta-catenin is a dual function protein, involved in regulation and coordination of cell–cell adhesion and gene transcrip ...
/Tcf pathway. WNT3A is located in the genome beside the WNT9A gene across many vertebrates. Similarly, the WNT3 gene occurs in the genome beside the WNT9B gene. WNT9A and WNT9B signal through the
beta-catenin
Catenin beta-1, also known as beta-catenin (β-catenin), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''CTNNB1'' gene.
Beta-catenin is a dual function protein, involved in regulation and coordination of cell–cell adhesion and gene transcrip ...
/Tcf pathway but do not play related roles as WNT3A and WNT3 in the same cellular processes.
Role in Disease
WNT3A is not linked to particular genetic disorder in humans. Mice that have a genetic mutation in the WNT3A die during early embryogenesis and fail to correctly form axial tissues. Wnt-3a promotes the
beta-catenin
Catenin beta-1, also known as beta-catenin (β-catenin), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''CTNNB1'' gene.
Beta-catenin is a dual function protein, involved in regulation and coordination of cell–cell adhesion and gene transcrip ...
/Tcf pathway which is tumor inducing and can cause cancer when expressed in particular cell populations.
Role in embryonic development
Embryonic development is the process where the body plan is created. From studies in vertebrate model systems we can infer the roles of particular genes in human anatomical structures. Wnt3a plays a role in these processes:
Body plan -
Torso
The torso or trunk is an anatomical term for the central part, or the core, of the body of many animals (including humans), from which the head, neck, limbs, tail and other appendages extend. The tetrapod torso — including that of a huma ...
Wnt3A patterns a multipotent stem cell population that form neurons, muscles, bones, and cartilage of the
torso
The torso or trunk is an anatomical term for the central part, or the core, of the body of many animals (including humans), from which the head, neck, limbs, tail and other appendages extend. The tetrapod torso — including that of a huma ...
region. Wnt3a instructs these multipotent stems cells to form muscle, bone, and cartilage progenitors over forming neurons. Wnt3A also regulates the Notch pathway to control the segmentation clock needed for normal torso development
Left-Right patterning
Wnt3a is in a signaling pathway that activates the gene Nodal which is left side signaling determinant
Intestine - Colon
The colon portion of the
gastrointestinal tract is completely dependent on Wnt3a and Wnt3a selectively causes the growth of colon progenitors
Neural crest
Wnt3a expands
neural crest
Neural crest cells are a temporary group of cells unique to vertebrates that arise from the embryonic ectoderm germ layer, and in turn give rise to a diverse cell lineage—including melanocytes, craniofacial cartilage and bone, smooth muscle, per ...
cells during early development
Blood cells
Wnt3a promotes hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal. Wnt3a is needed for myeloid but not B-lymphoid development at the progenitor level, and affected immature thymocyte differentiation
Brain - Hippocampus
Wnt3a is needed for formation of the hippocampus portion of the brain
Teeth
Wnt3a promotes stem cell properties of dental pulp stem cells
References
Further reading
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