Wnt-signalling and the metabolic syndrome.

The Wnt-signalling pathway plays a well-established role in embryogenesis and tumourigenesis. However, recent data puts Wnt-signalling in the context of metabolic disease. In vitro and in vivo data characterised the role of Wnt-signalling molecules in the regulation of adipocyte differentiation (adipogenesis). Furthermore, Wnts play a pivotal role in regulating pancreatic beta-cell function and mass. In addition, studies found polymorphisms within the gene encoding TCF7L2, a Wnt-regulated transcription factor, to contribute an increased risk to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus in humans. This review will summarise recent aspects of Wnt-signalling in these pathophysiologic events and discuss the contributions of dysregulation in Wnt-signalling to features of the metabolic syndrome.