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. 2012 Feb 23;8(2):e1002523. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002523

Figure 6. Increased activity of β-catenin–dependent Wnt via overexpression of LRP6 transactivates human α-defensin 5 promoter activity in HEK-293 cells.

Figure 6

As demonstrated with immunohistochemistry staining A), the Wnt co-receptor LRP6 is widely expressed in the cells of the small intestinal epithelium and also found at the base of the crypts where Paneth and stem cells are located. Additionally, LRP6 is sporadically found in infiltrating immune cells. As previously demonstrated, overexpression of LRP6 in HEK293 cells leads to an activation of β-catenin dependent Wnt signalling B) as monitored by TopFlash activity. The transcriptional activity of a luciferase reporter under the control of an 1 kb HD-5 promoter was also increased after LRP6 mediated activation of Wnt C). Both effects were not seen using a non-functional version of the LRP6 Co-receptor which is lacking cytoplasmatic parts that are necessary for signal transduction. Values are the average of triple determinations with the SEM indicated by error bars.