Figure 2.

Overview of Wnt/β-catenin induced gene expression. In the presence of Wnt, β-catenin is stabilized and can induce gene transcription. Wnt binds its coreceptors Fz and LRP5/LRP6. The Fz transmembrane receptor is indicated by a squiggly line to indicate its spanning the membrane seven times. The LRP5 and LRP6 transmembrane receptors are indicated by a red oval. Various molecules that interact with the receptors and GSK-3 and CK1 are indicated in yellow ovals. Various Wnt inhibitors such as WIF, DKK and sFRP are presented as red octagons. When Wnt is present, β-catenin is stabilized and able to induce gene expression by complexing with various transcription factors including TCF/LEF, TBX5 and HIF-1α that are indicated by yellow diamonds. Various proteins that interact with the transcription factor complexes are indicated in pink circles. Kinases that can regulate these molecules are indicated by green ovals. The Rac-1 exchange factor is indicated in a purple circle. This figure is presented to provide the reader an idea of how activation of Wnt/β-catenin can result in regulation of gene expression.