Week 12 - WNT Signalling

Question 1

How is β-catenin degraded?

Answer 1

• during resting conditions
• β-catenin and GSK interact with axin protein
• β-catenin phosphorylated by GSK
• CKI phosphorylates complex
• engulfed by APC adaptor molecule
• ubiquitinated by β-Transducin repeat containing protein (β-Trcp)

Question 2

How is β-catenin destruction stopped?

Answer 2

• Wnt activates Dsh
• only other protein that can bind to axin
• β-catenin does not form destruction complex
• accumulation of β-catenin in cytoplasm
• translocates to nucleus
• transcription activated