Mouse Frizzled Homolog 1 (FZD1) Protein

Background

FZD1 is a member of the Frizzled family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that function as receptors for Wnt signaling proteins. It is widely expressed in various tissues, including the kidney, brain, and bone, and plays a pivotal role in the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway and non-canonical pathways like planar cell polarity (PCP) and calcium signaling. FZD1 regulates critical cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and migration during embryogenesis, tissue repair, and homeostasis. In bone biology, FZD1 mediates osteoblast differentiation and mineralization, promoting bone formation. Dysregulation of FZD1 has been linked to cancer, where it contributes to cell proliferation, survival, and metastasis, particularly in breast, lung, and colorectal cancers. Its overexpression enhances Wnt/β-catenin signaling, driving tumor progression and therapy resistance. FZD1 also regulates stem cell maintenance and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), processes critical for tissue regeneration and cancer metastasis. Additionally, its role in cardiac and renal development highlights its importance in organogenesis. Targeting FZD1 and its associated pathways is being explored in cancer therapy and regenerative medicine to modulate Wnt signaling and control disease progression.