Wntless/Evi/Sprinter/Mig-14/Gpr177
Based on original genetic evidence in Drosophila and C.elegans, the secretion of Wnt proteins needs the function of a dedicated protein Wntless (Wls) also known under various different other names (Evi/Sprinter/Mig-14/Gpr177; see table below). The Wls protein is a multiple-pass transmembrane molecule. Because of the lack of Wnt secretion in Wls mutant cells, it is thought that Wls is a transporter molecule that is specific for Wnt proteins. Nygaard et al (2020) reported on a 3.2 Å resolution cryo-EM structure of WNT8A bound to Wntless, with a Wnt hairpin inserted into a conserved hydrophobic cavity in the Wntless protein. The gene is highly conserved and has been found in organisms ranging from mice to Planaria.
In humans, an inherited Pleiotropic Multiorgan Condition is caused by homozygous mutations in WLS (Chai et al, 2021). The same paper reports on the generation of mouse mutations in Wls, leading to similar multi-organ phenotypes.
See the page on Wnt secretion.
Review by Routledge D, Scholpp, S. Mechanisms of intercellular Wnt transport. Development. 2019 May 15;146(10). pii: dev176073. doi: 10.1242/dev.176073.
organism |
gene |
phenotype |
|---|---|---|
| C. elegans | mig-14 | loss Wnt signaling (Yang, 2008) |
| Drosophila | Wntless/Evi/Sprinter | segment polarity (Banziger, 2006; Bartscherer, 2006; Goodman, 2006). |
| Mouse | Gpr177 | null mutations lead to early axis defect (Fu 2009). Homozygous point mutations leading to multi-organ phenotypes Chai et al, 2021 |
| Planaria | Smed-Evi/Wntless | regeneration defects (Adell, 2009) |
| Humans | WLS | Homozygous point mutations leading to multi-organ phenotypes Chai et al, 2021 |
