- Which of the following is most likely to be activated in the non-canonical Wnt pathway?
(1) Disheveled and GSK-3.
(2) RhoA and PLC.
(3) GSK-3 and RhoA
(4) Disheveled and APC.
The correct answer is:
(2) RhoA and PLC
Explanation:
In the non-canonical Wnt pathway, signaling occurs independently of β-catenin and involves activation of small GTPases such as RhoA and enzymes like phospholipase C (PLC). These effectors mediate changes in cytoskeletal dynamics, cell polarity, and calcium signaling, which are key features of the planar cell polarity (PCP) and Wnt/Ca2+ pathways. Dishevelled (Dvl) is involved upstream in both canonical and noncanonical pathways, but GSK-3 and APC are more associated with the canonical β-catenin pathway. Hence, RhoA and PLC are the key activators in non-canonical Wnt signaling.
Summary
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The non-canonical Wnt pathway operates independently of β-catenin.
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It activates small GTPase RhoA and phospholipase C (PLC) downstream of Frizzled and Dishevelled.
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RhoA influences cytoskeletal rearrangements; PLC triggers intracellular calcium release.
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These processes regulate cell movement, polarity, and morphogenesis during development.
Answer: (2) RhoA and PLC are most likely activated in the non-canonical Wnt pathway.



1 Comment
Kajal
November 7, 2025Rho A and PLC