Binds as a ligand to a family of frizzled seven-transmembrane receptors and acts through a cascade of genes on the nucleus. Probable developmental protein. May be a signaling molecule which affects the development of discrete regions of tissues. Is likely to signal over only few cell diameters. May have a role in limb and CNS development; may be a downstream target of Dll that acts in the specification of these primordia. Interacts with porcupine (por). Dynamic expression pattern during embryogenesis. Expression is seen in the limb primordia of the head and thoracic segments, mesodermal and neurogenic regions. Glycosylated, glycosylation is stimulated by porcupine at the ER. Palmitoleoylated by porcupine. The lipid group functions as a sorting signal, targeting the ligand to polarized vesicles that transport Wnt5 to unique sites at the cell surface. Depalmitoleoylated by notum, leading to inhibit Wnt signaling pathway. Belongs to the Wnt family.