Beta-catenin
Also called: b-catenin signaling
What it means
Beta-catenin is a protein inside bone-building cells that acts as a key messenger in the Wnt signaling pathway, telling cells to grow more bone when it's active.
This signal is part of your body's natural bone-building process, and activity that loads bone is thought to influence it as you age.
Beta-catenin is a protein found inside cells, including osteoblasts (the cells that build bone). It plays a central role in what scientists call the Wnt signaling pathway, which is one of the body's main "build more bone" switches. When Wnt proteins bind to receptors on the cell surface, including LRP5/LRP6, beta-catenin builds up inside the cell and moves into the nucleus, where it switches on genes that push bone-forming cells to mature and get to work.
This pathway doesn't run on its own, though. It's regulated by natural brakes, especially sclerostin and Dickkopf-1, proteins that block the Wnt receptors and reduce beta-catenin activity, which slows bone formation. Mechanical loading on bone, like weight-bearing or resistance activity, is thought to reduce sclerostin output from osteocytes, which may free up this pathway to be more active — part of how your skeleton senses and responds to the forces you put on it.
Because this pathway is so central to bone formation, it's also a target for some osteoporosis treatments. Romosozumab, for example, works by blocking sclerostin, which allows beta-catenin signaling to ramp up and encourages new bone formation. Whether a treatment like this is appropriate is a decision for you and your prescribing doctor, based on your full health picture and fracture risk.
Beta-catenin signals bone-building cells to grow more bone as part of the Wnt pathway.
Where this leads
WordYou just read that beta-catenin works within the Wnt pathway. Curious how this whole signaling system controls bone building? Here is the bigger picture.
Related words
The Wnt signaling pathway is a cell-communication system that signals osteoblasts to build new bone; when it's…
LRP5 and LRP6 are receptors on bone cells that work with the Wnt signaling pathway to control how much new bone your…
Sclerostin is a protein made by bone cells called osteocytes that blocks new bone formation; less mechanical strain…
Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) is a protein that blocks bone-building signals, and it's made in excess by some diseases like…
An osteoblast is a cell that builds new bone by laying down fresh bone matrix, working alongside cells that break…
Romosozumab (brand name Evenity) is an anabolic osteoporosis medication given by injection that blocks sclerostin, a…
Education only, not medical advice. Decisions about tests, medications and treatment belong with your own doctor. OsteoStrong does not diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
