Recent research has revealed a new way that cells use to regulate the duration of the Wnt signal– a protein involved in cell communication– in a way that is different from what was previously known. This new discovery could lead to a better understanding of how Wnt signaling is involved in various biological processes, such as tissue development and cancer.

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have identified a novel mechanism that is used by cells to control the duration and intensity of the Wnt signal. Using a combination of biochemistry and mathematical modelling, they showed that Wnt signal duration is determined by a combination of two processes that are regulated differently. The first process involves the production of Wnt proteins, while the second involves the degradation of the proteins. This two-pronged approach results in a more precise control over the signal’s duration, allowing cells to modulate it in response to external cues.

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source: Phys.org