LGR4 and LGR5 are R-spondin receptors mediating Wnt/β-catenin and Wnt/PCP signalling

EMBO Rep. 2011 Sep 30;12(10):1055-61. doi: 10.1038/embor.2011.175.

Abstract

R-spondins are secreted Wnt signalling agonists, which regulate embryonic patterning and stem cell proliferation, but whose mechanism of action is poorly understood. Here we show that R-spondins bind to the orphan G-protein-coupled receptors LGR4 and LGR5 by their Furin domains. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments in mammalian cells and Xenopus embryos indicate that LGR4 and LGR5 promote R-spondin-mediated Wnt/β-catenin and Wnt/PCP signalling. R-spondin-triggered β-catenin signalling requires Clathrin, while Wnt3a-mediated β-catenin signalling requires Caveolin-mediated endocytosis, suggesting that internalization has a mechanistic role in R-spondin signalling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Clathrin / metabolism
  • Endocytosis
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Protein Binding
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism*
  • Thrombospondins / metabolism*
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway*
  • Xenopus / genetics
  • Xenopus / metabolism
  • Xenopus Proteins / genetics
  • Xenopus Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Clathrin
  • LGR5 protein, human
  • RSPO3 protein, human
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Thrombospondins
  • Xenopus Proteins