Wnt5a Protein Activates β-Catenin Signaling Depending on Receptor Context

<div><p>(A) Wnt5a treatment leads to β-catenin stabilization specifically in cells expressing mFz4. The 293 and 293Fz4 cells were treated with Wnt proteins and then assayed for cytosolic β-catenin protein accumulation via Western blot analysis.</p> <p>(B) Wnt5a treatment activates the STF reporter when LRP5 is coexpressed. At 24 h post-transfection with STF reporter and LRP5 or empty vector, 293Fz4 cells were treated with increasing concentrations of Wnt5a protein for an additional 24 h, and luciferase assay was performed as described in <a href="http://www.plosbiology.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pbio.0040115#pbio-0040115-g001" target="_blank">Figure 1</a>. </p> <p>(C) Wnt5a does not inhibit Wnt3a-mediated reporter activation in 293Fz4 cells. The 293 and 293Fz4 cells were treated with Wnts as indicated 24 h post-transfection with reporters, and luciferase assay was performed.</p> <p>(D) Loss of Wnt5a-mediated reporter inhibition is specific to mFz4 overexpression. The 293, 293Fz4, and 293Fz8 cells were treated with the indicated Wnts for 24 h, 24 h post-transfection, and then luciferase assay was performed. Wnt5a maintains inhibitory activity when mFz8, but not mFz4, is overexpressed.</p>