LRP6
Description
The LRP6 (LDL receptor related protein 6) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 12.
LRP6, a protein encoded by the LRP6 gene, is a crucial component of the LRP5/LRP6/Frizzled co-receptor group involved in the canonical Wnt pathway. This protein shares a similar structure with LRP5, with a large extracellular domain that binds to ligands and a smaller intracellular domain. LRP6 acts as a co-receptor with LRP5 and Frizzled proteins to transmit signals from Wnt proteins. This interaction triggers the canonical Wnt pathway, which controls cell development and growth. LRP6 also interacts with various other proteins, including DKK1, AXIN1, and GRB10, which regulate its activity in Wnt signaling. LRP6 is essential for posterior patterning of the epiblast during gastrulation, a process critical for proper embryonic development.
LRP6, along with Frizzled (FZD) receptors and LRP5, forms a complex that activates beta-catenin signaling. This complex brings together receptor-ligand units into large signaling structures called signalosomes. LRP6 is essential for bone development and plays a crucial role in the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway, which controls cell fate and growth. Wnt proteins bind to FZD and LRP6, triggering a cascade of events that ultimately leads to the stabilization of beta-catenin. This stabilization is achieved by inhibiting the activity of GSK3beta, an enzyme that normally degrades beta-catenin. LRP6's role in Wnt signaling is critical for proper embryonic development, particularly during gastrulation, a process where the embryo's basic body plan is established. During gastrulation, LRP6 helps to regulate the organization of the epiblast, the outermost layer of the embryo.
LRP6 is also known as ADCAD2, STHAG7.
