Genome-Wide Search of Human Genes Implicated in WNT Signaling Pathway Using Bioinformatics

WNT signaling pathway is implicated in carcinogenesis, embryogenesis and organogenesis [4]. WNTs are a family of secreted-type glycoproteins with 22∼24 conserved cysteine residues. WNT signals are transduced through seven-transmembrane-type WNT receptors encoded by Frizzled (FZD) genes to the β-catenin TCF pathway, the JNK pathway, or the Ca2+-releasing pathway. Gain-of-function mutations of positive regulators of the WNT β-catenin pathway or loss-of-function mutations of negative regulators of the WNT β-catenin pathway leads to carcinogenesis through transcriptional activation of WNT target genes, such as c-MYC, Cyclin D1, and WISP1. Because WNT signaling molecules are potent targets of pharmacogenomics in the field of clinical oncology and regenerative medicine, we have so far cloned and characterized more than 30 human genes encoding WNT signaling molecules using homology-based gene-finding approach.