Wingless Type MMTV Integration Site Family, Member 3 (WNT3) ELISA Kit for Hamster

The WNT gene family consists of structurally related genes which 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. It encodes a protein which shows 98% amino acid identity to mouse Wnt3 protein, and 84% to human WNT3A protein, another WNT gene product. The mouse studies show the requirement of Wnt3 in primary axis formation in the mouse. Studies of the gene expression suggest that this gene may play a key role in some cases of human breast, rectal, lung, and gastric cancer through activation of the WNT-beta-catenin-TCF signaling pathway. This gene is clustered with WNT15, another family member, in the chromosome 17q21 region. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

WNT3: Ligand for members of the frizzled family of seven transmembrane receptors. Wnt-3 and Wnt-3a play distinct roles in cell-cell signaling during morphogenesis of the developing neural tube. Defects in WNT3 are the cause of autosomal recessive tetra-amelia (ARTTRA). Tetra-amelia is a rare human genetic disorder characterized by complete absence of all four limbs and other anomalies such as craniofacial, nervous system, pulmonary, skeletal and urogenital defects. Belongs to the Wnt family.

Protein type: Secreted, signal peptide; Secreted; Oncoprotein

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 17q21

Cellular Component: extracellular space; proteinaceous extracellular matrix; endoplasmic reticulum lumen; Golgi lumen; plasma membrane; extracellular region

Molecular Function: protein domain specific binding; protein binding; frizzled binding; receptor agonist activity

Biological Process: embryonic forelimb morphogenesis; axon guidance; cell fate commitment; cell morphogenesis; dorsal/ventral axis specification; positive regulation of collateral sprouting in the absence of injury; Wnt receptor signaling pathway through beta-catenin; negative regulation of axon extension involved in axon guidance; embryonic hindlimb morphogenesis; Spemann organizer formation at the anterior end of the primitive streak; neuron differentiation; limb bud formation; mesoderm formation; gamete generation; anterior/posterior axis specification

Disease: Tetraamelia, Autosomal Recessive