FZD6 (Frizzled class receptor 6)

Frizzled-6 (FZD6) gene, located on chromosome 8 (8q22.3-q23.1), encodes a seven-transmembrane-spanning protein belonging to the frizzled’ family of receptors for the Wnt (Wingless/Int-1) ligands. FZD6 is classified as G-protein-coupling receptor with a prevalent role in the non-canonical Wnt signaling pathway, a series of steps that affect the way cells and tissues develop. Specifically, FZD6-mediated Wnt signaling is important for cell division (proliferation), adhesion and cellular movement (migration). It is active in many tissues and is involved during embryonic development, immune cells maturation and hematopoietic regeneration. After the Wnt-ligands binding, FZD6 protein is triggered at the cell surface to send signals into the cell and to initiate the Wnt signaling pathway. The encoded protein contains a signal peptide, a cysteine-rich domain (CRD) in the extracellular N-terminal region, and seven transmembrane domains, but unlike other family members, this protein does not contain a C-terminal PDZ binding-domain motif. This protein acts as a negative regulator of the canonical Wnt/beta-catenin signaling cascade, thereby inhibiting the processes that trigger oncogenic transformation and inhibition of apoptosis. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants, some of which do not encode a protein with a predicted signal peptide.