WNT16 (Wingless-Type MMTV Integration Site Family Member 16) is a secreted signaling protein that plays essential roles in bone metabolism, embryonic development, and cellular homeostasis. It is one of 19 Wnt family members in humans and signals through both canonical and non-canonical pathways[@witte2011].
Gene Information
<div class="infobox infobox-gene">
| Property | Value | |----------|-------| | Gene Symbol | WNT16 | | Gene Name | Wingless-Type MMTV Integration Site Family Member 16 | | Chromosomal Location | 7q31.31 | | NCBI Gene ID | 4253 | | OMIM ID | 616933 | | UniProt ID | Q9Y5Q4 | | Ensembl ID | ENSG00000002746 | | Gene Type | Protein Coding |
</div>
Protein Structure
WNT16 has typical Wnt family architecture:
Signal peptide: For secretion
Wnt domain: Conserved functional region
Cysteine-rich region: Essential for receptor interactions
Lipid modification: Palmitoylation site
Two protein isoforms exist through alternative splicing:
WNT16A
WNT16B
Biological Functions
Development
Somite formation
Limb development
Organogenesis
Tissue Homeostasis
Bone remodeling
Cartilage maintenance
Stem cell regulation
Nervous System
Neuronal differentiation
Axon guidance
Synapse formation
Expression Pattern
WNT16 shows distinct expression:
Bone: Osteoblasts, osteocytes
Brain: [Neurons](/entities/neurons), glia
Other: Kidney, lung, intestine
Role in Neurodegeneration
Alzheimer's Disease
WNT16 is implicated in AD through:
...
WNT16 Gene
Overview
WNT16 (Wingless-Type MMTV Integration Site Family Member 16) is a secreted signaling protein that plays essential roles in bone metabolism, embryonic development, and cellular homeostasis. It is one of 19 Wnt family members in humans and signals through both canonical and non-canonical pathways[@witte2011].
Gene Information
<div class="infobox infobox-gene">
| Property | Value | |----------|-------| | Gene Symbol | WNT16 | | Gene Name | Wingless-Type MMTV Integration Site Family Member 16 | | Chromosomal Location | 7q31.31 | | NCBI Gene ID | 4253 | | OMIM ID | 616933 | | UniProt ID | Q9Y5Q4 | | Ensembl ID | ENSG00000002746 | | Gene Type | Protein Coding |
</div>
Protein Structure
WNT16 has typical Wnt family architecture:
Signal peptide: For secretion
Wnt domain: Conserved functional region
Cysteine-rich region: Essential for receptor interactions
Lipid modification: Palmitoylation site
Two protein isoforms exist through alternative splicing:
WNT16A
WNT16B
Biological Functions
Development
Somite formation
Limb development
Organogenesis
Tissue Homeostasis
Bone remodeling
Cartilage maintenance
Stem cell regulation
Nervous System
Neuronal differentiation
Axon guidance
Synapse formation
Expression Pattern
WNT16 shows distinct expression:
Bone: Osteoblasts, osteocytes
Brain: [Neurons](/entities/neurons), glia
Other: Kidney, lung, intestine
Role in Neurodegeneration
Alzheimer's Disease
WNT16 is implicated in AD through:
Wnt pathway dysregulation: Observed in AD brains
Neuroprotection: Can protect against amyloid toxicity
Neurological function: Specific roles in brain WNT16 signaling
Therapeutic targeting: WNT16 modulators for neurodegeneration
Cross-talk mechanisms: Interactions with other pathways
Biomarker potential: WNT16 in disease diagnosis
Summary
WNT16 is a multifunctional signaling protein with important roles in bone biology and emerging significance in neurodegeneration. Understanding its CNS functions may reveal novel therapeutic approaches.
See Also
Wnt Signaling Pathway
Bone Biology
Neuroprotection
Last updated: 2026-03-12
References
[Witte F et al, Wnt signaling in osteoblasts and bone diseases (2011)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21427130/)
[Mariga A et al, Wnt signaling in Alzheimer's disease: friend or foe? (2015)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25962908/)