Human Frizzled Homolog 6 (FZD6) Protein

Background

FZD6 is a non-canonical Wnt receptor primarily involved in planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling, which regulates cell orientation and migration. It is expressed in epithelial tissues, hair follicles, and the nervous system, where it controls processes like cell polarity, tissue morphogenesis, and embryonic development. FZD6 is essential for hair follicle orientation and skin development, as mutations in FZD6 are associated with conditions like nail dysplasia and abnormal hair patterns. In cancer, FZD6 is upregulated in gastric, breast, and ovarian cancers, where it promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell migration, and metastasis through non-canonical signaling pathways. FZD6 also regulates actin cytoskeleton dynamics, contributing to cell motility and invasion. In the nervous system, FZD6 influences neuronal development and axon guidance, highlighting its role in neurodevelopmental processes. Dysregulation of FZD6 signaling leads to developmental defects and cancer progression. Its function in PCP signaling and cytoskeletal regulation positions FZD6 as a key target for therapies aimed at modulating cell polarity, tissue architecture, and cancer metastasis.