FZD3 Gene

FZD3 Gene

Introduction

Fzd3 Gene is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.

<div class="infobox infobox-gene"> [@goodrich2021]
<table> [@mukai2020]
<tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header">FZD3 Gene</th></tr>
<tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-subheader">Frizzled Class Receptor 3</th></tr>
<tr><td class="label">Symbol</td><td>FZD3</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">Full Name</td><td>Frizzled Class Receptor 3</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">Chromosome</td><td>8p21.1</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">NCBI Gene ID</td><td>7976</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">Ensembl ID</td><td>ENSG00000104290</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">OMIM ID</td><td>605194</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">UniProt ID</td><td>Q9UPW4</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">Associated Diseases</td><td>Alzheimer's Disease, Schizophrenia, Autism Spectrum Disorder</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

Overview

FZD3 Gene

Introduction

Fzd3 Gene is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.

<div class="infobox infobox-gene"> [@goodrich2021]
<table> [@mukai2020]
<tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header">FZD3 Gene</th></tr>
<tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-subheader">Frizzled Class Receptor 3</th></tr>
<tr><td class="label">Symbol</td><td>FZD3</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">Full Name</td><td>Frizzled Class Receptor 3</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">Chromosome</td><td>8p21.1</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">NCBI Gene ID</td><td>7976</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">Ensembl ID</td><td>ENSG00000104290</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">OMIM ID</td><td>605194</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">UniProt ID</td><td>Q9UPW4</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">Associated Diseases</td><td>Alzheimer's Disease, Schizophrenia, Autism Spectrum Disorder</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

Overview

FZD3 (Frizzled Class Receptor 3) is a seven-transmembrane receptor that primarily activates non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways, particularly the planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway. It plays critical roles in neuronal migration, axon guidance, dendritic arborization, and synaptic formation during development and in adult brain function. FZD3 is predominantly expressed in the nervous system.

Function

Non-Canonical Wnt Signaling

FZD3 primarily mediates non-canonical Wnt signaling:

• Activates Wnt/PCP pathway via DVL recruitment
• Modulates cytoskeletal dynamics
• Regulates cell polarity and migration
• Controls axonal tract formation

Nervous System Development

During neural development, FZD3 regulates:

• Cortical neuron migration via radial glia
• Axon guidance in corpus callosum formation
• Cerebellar granule cell migration
• Retinal ganglion cell axon pathfinding
• Dendritic morphogenesis

Synaptic Function

In mature [neurons](/entities/neurons), FZD3 modulates:

• Synapse formation and maintenance
• Dendritic spine morphology
• Presynaptic neurotransmitter release
• Postsynaptic receptor trafficking

Disease Associations

Alzheimer's Disease

FZD3 plays protective roles in AD:

• Wnt/PCP signaling protects against [Aβ](/proteins/amyloid-beta) toxicity
• FZD3 deficiency exacerbates cognitive deficits
• Therapeutic potential of FZD3 activation

Neuropsychiatric Disorders

FZD3 associations with:

• Schizophrenia (risk gene)
• Autism spectrum disorders
• Bipolar disorder

Developmental Disorders

FZD3 mutations linked to:

• Brain malformations
• Cognitive impairment

Expression

FZD3 is highly expressed in:

• Developing brain: Cortical plate, [hippocampus](/brain-regions/hippocampus), cerebellum
• Adult brain: Cerebral [cortex](/brain-regions/cortex), hippocampus, basal ganglia
• Retina: Retinal ganglion cells
• Peripheral nerves: Sensory and motor neurons

Key Publications

Interactions

FZD3 interacts with:

• WNT1, WNT3A, WNT5A, WNT11: Wnt ligands
• DVL1, DVL2, DVL3: Dishevelled proteins
• VANGL1, VANGL2: PCP core components
• CELSR1, CELSR2: Cadherin receptors
• PRICKLE1, PRICKLE2: PCP effectors

Therapeutic Targeting

FZD3-based therapeutic approaches:

• FZD3-selective Wnt agonists
• PCP pathway modulators
• Gene therapy for neuropsychiatric disorders

See Also

• [Wnt Signaling Pathway](/mechanisms/wnt-signaling-neurodegeneration)
• [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)
• [Planar Cell Polarity](/mechanisms/planar-cell-polarity-neurodegeneration)
• [FZD1 Gene](/genes/fzd1)
• [FZD2 Gene](/genes/fzd2)

Background

The study of Fzd3 Gene has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.

Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.

External Links

• [NCBI Gene: FZD3](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/7976)
• [UniProt: FZD3](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q9UPW4)
• [Ensembl: FZD3](https://www.ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/ENSG00000104290)

References