Biosciences Research Seminar - How Wnt signaling regulates stem cells and cancer biology at the level of the ligand/receptor

Wnt signalling is a highly conserved pathway that is critical during embryonic development and regulates several cell functions including proliferation, differentiation, migration and apoptosis. We have identified that the Wnt receptor Fzd7 play a non-redundant role in transmitting Wnt signalling to regulate the activity of stem cells in the intestinal and gastric epithelium to control homeostasis and regeneration in vivo. Wnt signalling is deregulated in many cancers including those of the gastrointestinal tract. We have identified that Fzd7 also transmits cell autonomous Wnt signalling to regulate tumour growth in the stomach and that Wnt signalling can be targeted therapeutically at the level of the ligand/receptor to inhibit tumour growth. We have also started some new studies to investigate the factors regulating Fzd receptors in the stomach and how deregulating Wnt via different genetic events has tissue specific outcomes.