Recombinant mouse Wnt-5a protein is a secreted glycoprotein with four potential N-linked glycosylation sites and a 10-amino acid Wnt-1 family signature sequence, CKCHGcSGSC. Mouse and human Wnt-5a share approximately 97% amino acid sequence identity. Expression is observed in mammary gland duct and endometrial epithelia, stomach mesenchyme, embryonic fibroblasts, apical ectodermal ridge of limb buds, and neural crest cells. Wnt-5a is implicated in the Wnt/Ca
+2 pathway and plays a role in cell movements and cell adhesion. Wnt-5a is involved in development, various types of cancer, and other diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.