WNT3A

Function

Ligand for members of the frizzled family of seven transmembrane receptors (Probable). Functions in the canonical Wnt signaling pathway that results in activation of transcription factors of the TCF/LEF family (PubMed:20093360, PubMed:21244856, PubMed:24841207, PubMed:26902720). Required for normal embryonic mesoderm development and formation of caudal somites. Required for normal morphogenesis of the developing neural tube (By similarity). Mediates self-renewal of the stem cells at the bottom on intestinal crypts (in vitro) (PubMed:26902720).

Post-translational modifications

Palmitoleoylation by PORCN is required for efficient binding to frizzled receptors. Palmitoleoylation is required for proper trafficking to cell surface, vacuolar acidification is critical to release palmitoleoylated WNT3A from WLS in secretory vesicles (PubMed:20826466, PubMed:21244856, PubMed:24292069). Depalmitoleoylated by NOTUM, leading to inhibit Wnt signaling pathway, possibly by promoting disulfide bond formation and oligomerization (PubMed:25731175).

Proteolytic processing by TIKI1 and TIKI2 promotes oxidation and formation of large disulfide-bond oligomers, leading to inactivation of WNT3A.

Disulfide bonds have critical and distinct roles in secretion and activity. Loss of each conserved cysteine in WNT3A results in high molecular weight oxidized Wnt oligomers, which are formed through inter-Wnt disulfide bonding.

Sequence similarities

Belongs to the Wnt family.

Tissue specificity

Moderately expressed in placenta and at low levels in adult lung, spleen, and prostate.

Cellular localization

• Secreted
• Extracellular space
• Extracellular matrix
• Secreted

Alternative names

• Protein Wnt-3a
• WNT3A

Database links

• entrezGene:89780
• entrezGene:7473
• omim:606359
• swissprot:P56704
• swissprot:P56703

Target type

Proteins

Primary research area

Oncology

Molecular weight

39365Da