# Wnt signaling

Wnt signaling is a family of ancient cell-to-cell communication pathways. It starts when secreted Wnt proteins bind 'Frizzled' receptors on your cells. The most-studied branch is the 'canonical' one, which runs on a protein called β-catenin. Here is the logic. With no Wnt around, a 'destruction complex' (APC, Axin, GSK-3β, CK1) tags β-catenin for disposal. When Wnt binds, that complex is blocked, so β-catenin builds up. It then moves into the nucleus and switches on genes (via TCF/LEF). Wnt is essential for stem-cell self-renewal, tissue regeneration, and bone upkeep. But its activity falls in aged tissues, like muscle, intestinal crypts, and the bone-marrow niche, which feeds stem-cell exhaustion. In other settings, the opposite problem (too much Wnt) drives cancer and fibrosis.

## Sources

- Nusse R, Clevers H. (2017). Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling, Disease, and Emerging Therapeutic Modalities. Cell. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2017.05.016

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_Canonical: https://longevity-switzerland.com/en/glossary/wnt-signaling · Part of Longevity Cities · Updated 2026-06-22_