Wnts

(noun)

Morphogenic signaling proteins that regulate cell-cell interactions.

Related Terms

Examples of Wnts in the following topics:

  • Vertebrate Axis Formation

    • Many of these genes are involved in the Wnt signaling pathway.
    • Wnt signaling can be implicated in the formation of the anteroposterior and dorsoventral axes.
    • High Wnt signaling establishes the dorsal region while high Shh signaling indicates in the ventral region.
    • Wnt proteins guide the axons of the spinal cord in an anterior-posterior direction.
    • Wnt is also involved in the formation of the limb dorsal-ventral axis.

  • Embryonic Development

    • Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is a key player in patterning the ventral axis, while Bone morphogenic proteins (Bmp) and Wnt family members play an important role in patterning the dorsal axis.

  • Mammary Glands

    • As one of the transcribed genes, Wnts secreted from mammary epithelial cells act paracrinely to induce branching of neighboring cells.

  • Establishing Body Axes during Development

    • Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is a key player in patterning the ventral axis, while Bone morphogenic proteins (Bmp) and Wnt family members play an important role in patterning the dorsal axis.