Predicted functional consequences of WNT ligand mutations in colorectal cancer.

ABSTRACT: Mutations to wingless integration site (WNT) ligands in cancer are poorly understood. WNT ligands are a family of secreted proteins that trigger the activation of the WNT pathway, with essential roles in cell development and carcinogenesis, particularly in the colorectal tract. While the structure of WNT ligands has been elucidated, little is known about how mutations in these proteins affect colorectal cancer. Here, we show that mutations in WNT ligands found in colorectal cancer show regional specificity and selectivity for particular conserved sequences. We further show that mutations in colorectal cancer are not selecting for changes in the binding affinity of the ligands to their receptor. We use clinical data to identify mutations to WNT5A as under selection and correlating with pati

SUBMITTER: Ahmed A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12256883 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature