Receptor for Wnt proteins. Most frizzled receptors are coupled to the beta-catenin canonical signaling pathway, which leads to the activation of disheveled proteins, inhibition of GSK-3 kinase, nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin and activation of Wnt target genes. A second signaling pathway involving PKC and calcium fluxes has been seen for some family members, but it is not yet clear if it represents a distinct pathway or if it can be integrated in the canonical pathway, as PKC seems to be required for Wnt-mediated inactivation of GSK-3 kinase. Both pathways seem to involve interactions with G-proteins. Activation by WNT8 induces expression of beta-catenin target genes (By similarity). Following ligand activation, binds to CCDC88C/DAPLE which displaces DVL1 from FZD7 and leads to inhibition of canonical Wnt signaling, activation of G-proteins by CCDC88C and triggering of non-canonical Wnt responses . May be involved in transduction and intercellular transmission of polarity information during tissue morphogenesis and/or in differentiated tissues.
(Microbial infection) Acts as a receptor for C.difficile toxin TcdB in the colonic epithelium.
Subcellular locations: Cell membrane, Endosome membrane
Associated to the plasma membrane in the presence of FZD7 and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). Localized in recycling endosomes in other conditions.
High expression in adult skeletal muscle and fetal kidney, followed by fetal lung, adult heart, brain, and placenta. Specifically expressed in squamous cell esophageal carcinomas.