The genes regulated by beta-catenin and TCF/LEF are involved in a diverse range of functions in cellular proliferation, differentiation, embryogenesis and tissue homeostasis, and include transcription factors, cell cycle regulators, growth factors, proteinases and inflammatory cytokines, among others (reviewed in Vlad et al, 2008). A number of WNT signaling components are themselves positively or negatively regulated targets of TCF/LEF-dependent transcription, establishing feedback loops to enhance or restrict signaling (see for instance, Khan et al 2007; Chamorro et al, 2005; Roose et al, 1999; Lustig et al, 2002). Other than a few of these general feedback targets (e.g. Axin2), most target genes are cell- and/or tissue-specific. A list of WNT/beta-catenin-dependent target genes is maintained at http://www.standford.edu/group/nusselab/cgi-bin/wnt/target_genes.
