Molecular mechanisms of WNT transport

Active Project Grant Awarded Last action

Award ID
R01CA275005
Recipient
Awarding agency
Obligated
$1,433,559

Award facts

Assistance listing
93.396 Cancer Biology Research
Completion date 63% complete
Place of performance
New York, NY 10032, USA

Award details come from USAspending.gov.

Description

Abstract
Wnts are a family of evolutionary conserved, secreted ligands that act at short range to coordinate morphogenetic movements and cell fate decisions. Secretion of WNT and subsequent recognition by its cognate receptor require its o-palmitoleation in the endoplasmic reticulum. This modification is carried out by porcn, that then transfers WNT to WLS, its dedicated integral membrane transporter. How WLS associates with WNT in the ER, and subsequently delivers IT to the receptor frizzled on the receiving cell remains largely unknown, and is the focus of this application. Currently, there is a limited understanding of how WLS binds wnts and transport them to the cell membrane. Here we present as recently published data the structure of human WLS, in a complex with WNT8A, determined using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy to 3.2 å resolution. The WLS membrane domain resembles a g protein-coupled receptor (gpcr), albeit with one additional transmembrane helix. The o-palmitoleated WNT hairpin loop 2 inserts into a conserved central cavity of the gpcr-related domain, with the attached palmitoleate protruding out into the lipid bilayer. Highly conserved patches on the outward-facing surfaces of the transmembrane domain of WLS, adjacent to a hydrophobic gateway, suggest potential mechanisms for WNT transfer from porcn and to frizzled. We propose to further study the interaction between WLS and WNT, using the available structural information as starting point. First, we will investigate how WNT associate with WLS. We propose to determine the structure of WLS in its APO - absent WNT - state, as well as probe the putative site of entrance of WNT into WLS by structure- guided mutagenesis and biochemical assays. Our preliminary results suggest a direct interaction between WLS and porcn. Second, we will test how changes in sequence and glycosylation pattern can affect WNT secretion and destination, as well as the effect of PH on the interaction between the two proteins, using structure-guided mutagenesis as well as WNT transport and delivery assays in primary intestinal cells. Third, we propose to study the release of WNT to subsequent receptors. Our preliminary results suggest a direct interaction between WLS and the frizzled receptor, and we will test this hypothesis using detailed structure function analyses.

Transactions

Action Obligated Date
Amendment $40,605
Amendment $468,110
Amendment $444,705
Original award $480,139

Subawards

Subrecipient Amount Awarded
Duke University Duke University will support the project “Molecular Mechanisms of Wnt Transport.” The Duke/Virshup lab will study the structural and molecular basis of Wnt… $137,147
National University Of Singapore The scope of work for the Virshup lab: We will interrogate the direct interaction of WLS with PORCN and its role in Wnt transfer using a combination of… $91,715
National University Of Singapore Statement of Work Project Title: Structural and molecular basis of Wnt transport and secretion Start/End Dates: 09/18/23 – 08/31/28 SubPI Name: Prof… $96,542

Quick answers

Who received award R01CA275005?

R01CA275005 was awarded to The Trustees Of Columbia University In The City Of New York by National Cancer Institute (National Institutes of Health) on September 18, 2023.

How much is award R01CA275005 worth?

$1,433,559 has been obligated on R01CA275005.

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