Schulte Gunnar, Kozielewicz Pawel (eds.) Pharmacology of the WNT Signaling System

Springer, 2021. — 420 p. — (Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology 269). — ISBN 978-3-030-85498-0.This book reflects the state of the art of our understanding of the WNT signaling system, which comprises a network of signaling pathways initiated by the secreted WNT lipoglycoproteins, which are crucial for embryonal development, stem cell regulation, tissue homeostasis and repair. Dysfunction of this evolutionarily conserved signaling system leads to many diseases including developmental disorders, diverse forms of cancer, fibrosis, neurodegenerative disease and many more. The WNT signaling system is built upon 19 mammalian, secreted WNT lipoglycoproteins that interact with a plethora of distinct receptors, such as the G protein-coupled receptors called Frizzleds (FZD1-10), LDL receptor-like proteins (LRP5/6), receptor tyrosine kinases (ROR1, 2, RYK and PTK7). In addition, WNT pathways are tightly regulated by many secreted and cell-intrinsic negative regulators, such as soluble FZD-related proteins (SFRPs), Dickkopfs (DKKs), WNT-inhibitory proteins, TIKI, RNF43 and more. Understanding the basic mechanism in terms of receptor-ligand interaction, receptor selectivity, signal initiation and desensitization remain poorly understood, even though substantial advances have been made the recent years. Due to the involvement of the WNT signaling system in human disease, it appears obvious to target diverse branches pharmacologically and therapeutically. However, given the complexity of the system and its importance for stem cell regulation and tissue maintenance, therapy comes with obvious risks for severe side effects. The field is addressing the challenge to identify suitable targets and selective compounds for therapy allowing disease-selective therapeutic effects and balancing unwanted side effects. This book summarizes the current understanding of the basic and applied pharmacology in the WNT signaling system and bridges disciplines such as pharmacology, physiology, neurosciences, oncology and drug development.Basic Pharmacological Principles of the WNT Signaling System
Controlling Wnt Signaling Specificity and Implications for Targeting WNTs Pharmacologicall​y
Extracellular WNTs:​ Trafficking, Exosomes, and Ligand–Receptor Interaction
LRPs in WNT Signalling
Targeting the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase ROR1 by Small Molecules
Employing Genetically Encoded, Biophysical Sensors to Understand WNT/​Frizzled Interaction and Receptor Complex Activation
Can We Pharmacologicall​y Target Dishevelled:​ The Key Signal Transducer in the Wnt Pathways?​
Zooming in on the WNT/​CTNNB1 Destruction Complex:​ Functional Mechanistic Details with Implications for Therapeutic Targeting
An Overview of Potential Therapeutic Agents Targeting WNT/​PCP Signaling
Mining Natural Compounds to Target WNT Signaling:​ Land and Sea Tales
Disease-Specific Targeting of the WNT Signaling System
Frizzled7 Activates β-Catenin-Dependent and β-Catenin-Independent Wnt Signalling Pathways During Developmental Morphogenesis: Implications for Therapeutic Targeting in Colorectal Cancer
Targeting Oncogenic WNT Signalling with WNT Signalling-Derived Peptides
WNT Signalling in Lung Physiology and Pathology
WNT Signalling in Osteoarthritis and Its Pharmacological Targeting
WNT Signaling Is a Key Player in Alzheimer’s Disease
Pharmacologicall​y Targeting the WNT/​β-Catenin Signaling Cascade:​ Avoiding the Sword of Damocles