Wnt signaling in breast organogenesis

Organogenesis. 2008 Apr;4(2):116-22. doi: 10.4161/org.4.2.5858.

Abstract

Wnt signals play a critical role in regulating the normal development of the mammary gland and dysregulation of Wnt signaling causes breast cancer. This pathway is involved in the earliest development of the mammary gland in embryos and its role extends through the functional differentiation of the gland during pregnancy. In this review, we summarize the molecular mechanisms through which Wnts regulate mammary gland development in the mouse.

Keywords: Wnt; cancer; embryo; mammary gland; postnatal; stem cell.