Wnt deregulation in rhabdomyosarcoma

Signaling pathways integrate extracellular cues into intracellular gene expression profiles. Cell proliferation and differentiation are governed by many different signaling pathways that relay the extracellular spatiotemporal signals into the appropriate pattern of gene regulation within cells. There is complex interconnection and cross-talk between the signaling pathways during the process of development and regeneration, including during skeletal muscle regeneration and development. Wnt signaling has been shown to play an essential role in the regulation of the myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) during embryonic development and adult muscle regeneration (1-3). Any alteration in signaling pathway input can lead to diseased conditions, including cancer.