Frizzled-7

Frizzled-7 (also known as FZD7) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the FZD7 gene. It is a member of the Frizzled family of proteins, which are integral membrane proteins that function as receptors in the Wnt signaling pathway.

Structure

Frizzled-7 is a seven-pass transmembrane receptor that is part of the Frizzled family. The protein is characterized by an extracellular Cysteine-rich domain (CRD) that is essential for binding Wnt ligands. The intracellular portion of the protein interacts with Dishevelled proteins upon Wnt binding, initiating the Wnt signaling pathway.

Function

Frizzled-7 plays a crucial role in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, and migration. It is a receptor for both canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways. In the canonical pathway, Frizzled-7 binds to Wnt ligands, leading to the stabilization and accumulation of beta-catenin in the cytoplasm and its subsequent translocation into the nucleus. In the nucleus, beta-catenin acts as a coactivator for TCF/LEF transcription factors, leading to the transcription of Wnt target genes.

In the non-canonical pathway, Frizzled-7 activates the planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway and the Wnt/Ca2+ pathway. The PCP pathway regulates the orientation of cells within a tissue plane, while the Wnt/Ca2+ pathway regulates intracellular calcium levels.

Clinical significance

Alterations in the expression of Frizzled-7 have been associated with various types of cancer, including colorectal, breast, and gastric cancers. Overexpression of Frizzled-7 has been shown to promote tumor growth and metastasis, suggesting that it may serve as a potential therapeutic target in cancer treatment.

File:Frizzled 7 protein.png

Structure of the Frizzled-7 protein.

See also

• Frizzled
• Wnt signaling pathway
• Cysteine-rich domain
• Dishevelled
• Beta-catenin
• TCF/LEF
• Planar cell polarity
• Wnt/Ca2+ pathway