LRP6

LRP6 is a transmembrane low-density lipoprotein receptor that shares a similar structure with LRP5. In each protein, about 85% of its 1600-amino-acid length is extracellular. Each has four β-propeller motifs at the amino terminal end that alternate with four epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like repeats. Most extracellular ligands bind to LRP5 and LRP6 at the β-propellers. Each protein has a single-pass, 22-amino-acid segment that crosses the cell membrane and a 207-amino-acid segment that is internal to the cell.[7]

LRP6 acts as a co-receptor with LRP5 and the Frizzled protein family members for transducing signals by Wnt proteins through the canonical Wnt pathway.[7]

Canonical WNT signals are transduced through Frizzled receptor and LRP5/LRP6 coreceptor to downregulate GSK3beta (GSK3B) activity not depending on Ser-9 phosphorylation.[8] Reduction of canonical Wnt signals upon depletion of LRP5 and LRP6 results in p120-catenin degradation.[9]

LRP6 is regulated by extracellular proteins in the Dickkopf (Dkk) family (like DKK1[10]), sclerostin, R-spondins and members of the cysteine-knot-type protein family.[7]

Loss-of-function mutations or LRP6 in humans lead to increased plasma LDL and triglycerides, hypertension, diabetes and osteoporosis.[7] Similarly, mice with a loss-of-function Lrp6 mutation have low bone mass.[11] LRP6 is critical in bone's anabolic response to parathyroid hormone (PTH) treatment, whereas LRP5 is not involved.[11] On the other hand, LRP6 does not appear active in mechanotransduction (bone's response to forces), while LRP5 is critical in that role.[11] Sclerostin, one of the inhibitors of LRP6, is a promising osteocyte-specific Wnt antagonist in osteoporosis clinical trials.[12][13]