WNT4
Encyclopedia
Protein Wnt-4 is a protein
that in humans is encoded by the WNT4 gene
.
WNT4 is a secreted protein involved in female fetal genital development
.
gene family consists of structurally related genes that encode secreted signaling proteins. These proteins have been implicated in oncogenesis
and in several developmental processes, including regulation of cell fate and patterning during embryogenesis
. This gene is a member of the WNT gene family, and is the first signaling molecule shown to influence the sex-determination cascade. It encodes a protein showing 98% amino acid identity to the Wnt4 protein of mouse and rat. This gene and a nuclear receptor known to antagonize the testis-determining factor play a concerted role in both the control of female development and the prevention of testes formation.
and WNT7B
, may be associated with abnormal proliferation in breast tissue. Mutations in this gene can result in Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome
and in SERKAL syndrome.
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
that in humans is encoded by the WNT4 gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
.
WNT4 is a secreted protein involved in female fetal genital development
Fetal genital development
Fetal genital development refers to the sequence of events which leads to the development of the genitals and their adnexa.-Sequence:A few weeks after fertilization, the initial appearance of the human fetal genitalia is basically feminine: a pair of "urogenital folds" with a small protuberance in...
.
Function
The WNTWnt signaling pathway
The Wnt signaling pathway is a network of proteins best known for their roles in embryogenesis and cancer, but also involved in normal physiological processes in adult animals.-Discovery:...
gene family consists of structurally related genes that encode secreted signaling proteins. These proteins have been implicated in oncogenesis
Carcinogenesis
Carcinogenesis or oncogenesis is literally the creation of cancer. It is a process by which normal cells are transformed into cancer cells...
and in several developmental processes, including regulation of cell fate and patterning during embryogenesis
Embryogenesis
Embryogenesis is the process by which the embryo is formed and develops, until it develops into a fetus.Embryogenesis starts with the fertilization of the ovum by sperm. The fertilized ovum is referred to as a zygote...
. This gene is a member of the WNT gene family, and is the first signaling molecule shown to influence the sex-determination cascade. It encodes a protein showing 98% amino acid identity to the Wnt4 protein of mouse and rat. This gene and a nuclear receptor known to antagonize the testis-determining factor play a concerted role in both the control of female development and the prevention of testes formation.
Clinical significance
This gene and another two family members, WNT2WNT2
Wingless-type MMTV integration site family, member 2, also known as WNT2, is a human gene.This gene is a member of the WNT gene family. The WNT gene family consists of structurally related genes that encode secreted signaling proteins involved in the Wnt signaling pathway...
and WNT7B
WNT7B
Protein Wnt-7b is a protein that in humans is encoded by the WNT7B gene.-Further reading:...
, may be associated with abnormal proliferation in breast tissue. Mutations in this gene can result in Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome
Mullerian agenesis
Müllerian agenesis is a congenital malformation in women characterised by a failure of the müllerian ducts to develop, resulting in a missing uterus and fallopian tubes and variable malformations of the upper portion of the vagina. It is the second most common cause of primary amenorrhea after...
and in SERKAL syndrome.