Signalling Pathways Flashcards
1
Q
Which WNT signalling cascade is most affected in cancer?
A
Canonical
2
Q
By what process can the WNT pathway become autonomous?
A
Overexpression of ligand.
Mutation in APC (releasing B-catenin)
Other mutations within pathway.
3
Q
What are the normal functions of the WNT pathway?
A
In development; dorsal-ventral axis formation by polarisation.
Patterned growth
Promoting stem cell proliferation AND inhibiting differentiation
4
Q
Which mutation of the WNT pathway leads to a predisposition to colorectal cancer?
A
Germline mutation of APC, leading to overexpression of the WNT pathway and excess proliferation, leading to many precancerous growths in the colon (familial adenomatous polyposis)
