The Wnt-beta-catenin pathway plays key roles in embryogenesis. Wnt-4 is known to be expressed in the mesonephric duct in embryonic development. It is tempting to speculate that the Wnt-4-beta-catenin pathway contributes to the recovery from acute renal failure (ARF). This study used an in vivo model of ARF rats to clarify the significance of the Wnt-4-beta-catenin pathway in ARF. ARF was induced by clamping the rat left renal artery for 1 h. At 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after reperfusion, whole kidney homogenate and total RNA were extracted for examination by Western blot analysis and real-time RT-PCR. Wnt-4 mRNA and protein expression were strongly increased at 3 to 12 h and 6 to 24 h after ischemia, respectively. In immunohistologic examination, Wnt-4 was expressed in the proximal tubules and co-expressed with aquaporin-1, GM130, and PCNA. Cyclin D1 and cyclin A were expressed at 24 to 48 h after reperfusion. In addition, the overexpression of Wnt-4 and beta-catenin promoted the cell cycle and increased the promoter activity and protein expression of cyclin D1 in LLC-PK1 cells. Taken together, these data suggest that the Wnt-4-beta-catenin pathway plays a key role in the cell cycle progression of renal tubules in ARF. The Wnt-4-beta-catenin pathway may regulate the transcription of cyclin D1 and control the regeneration of renal tubules in ARF.