The Dvl-1 gene on chromosome 1p36 belongs to a family of highly conserved 
secreted proteins which regulates embryonic induction, generation of cell 
polarity and specification of cell fate through activation of Wnt signaling 
pathways. Wnt signaling activates the gene encoding DVL-1; the latter suppresses 
beta-catenin by promoting its degradation through enhanced inactivation of 
glycogen-synthase-kinase 3 (GSK3). Here we demonstrate increased expression of 
DVL-1 mRNA in over two thirds of primary cervical squamous cell cancers (11 of 
15 cases) when compared to corresponding non-cancerous uterine squamous cell 
tissues. In addition, we noted up-regulation of cyclin D1, a downstream effector 
of Wnt signal pathway in cervical cancer. Immunohistochemical staining 
demonstrated that DVL-1 protein was prominent in the cytoplasm of cancer cells 
whereas it was unreactive in the surrounding normal cervical squamous cells. 
These data indicate that amplification and increased expression of the DVL-1 
gene may play some role in the development of a portion of human cervical 
squamous cell cancer through derangement of the Wnt signaling pathway.