Wnt-5a Proteins and Enzymes

Wnt-5a is a palmitoylated and secreted glycoprotein that is a key molecule in embryonic development and post-natal tissue homeostasis. Wnt‑5a signals through a variety of receptors and cofactors including Frizzled-2, -3, -4, -5, -7, and -8, ROR2, Ryk, MCAM/CD146, LRP-6, sFRP-1, and Vang-like Protein 2. It is expressed by brainstem astrocytes, mammary epithelial cells, CD34+ primitive progenitor stem cells, chondrocytes, vascular pericytes and smooth muscle cells, and mesenchymal cells. Aberrant Wnt-5a expression and function is associated with the development of cancer, fibrosis, and chronic inflammation.