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. 
  1. 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

  • The non-canonical Wnt pathway operates independently of β-catenin.

  • It activates small GTPase RhoA and phospholipase C (PLC) downstream of Frizzled and Dishevelled.

  • RhoA influences cytoskeletal rearrangements; PLC triggers intracellular calcium release.

  • 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, 2025

    Rho A and PLC

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