Frizzled-8

Frizzled-8 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the FZD8 gene. It is a member of the Frizzled family, which is a group of seven transmembrane domain proteins that serve as receptors in the Wnt signaling pathway. The proteins in the Frizzled family are involved in embryonic development, cell proliferation, and adult tissue homeostasis.

Structure

Frizzled-8 is a 694 amino acid protein that contains a cysteine-rich domain in the extracellular region and seven transmembrane domains. The cysteine-rich domain is necessary for binding Wnt ligands, while the seven transmembrane domains are characteristic of G-protein coupled receptors.

Function

Frizzled-8 acts as a receptor for Wnt proteins, and it plays a crucial role in regulating cell fate, cell polarity, and neural patterning. It is involved in various cellular processes, including embryonic development, adult tissue homeostasis, cell proliferation, and differentiation.

Clinical significance

Mutations in the FZD8 gene have been associated with various diseases, including cancer. Overexpression of Frizzled-8 has been observed in several types of cancer, including breast cancer and colorectal cancer. It is thought that this overexpression may contribute to the proliferation and survival of cancer cells.

See also

• Frizzled
• Wnt signaling pathway
• G-protein coupled receptors