Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Methods for Evaluating the Role of c-Fos and Dusp1 in Oncogene Dependence
10:09

Methods for Evaluating the Role of c-Fos and Dusp1 in Oncogene Dependence

Published on: January 7, 2019

Link of Dlk/ZIP kinase to cell apoptosis and tumor suppression

Yanhua Wu1, Qin Yan, Jie Zuo

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, Fudan University, and Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Shanghai First People Hospital, Shanghai 200433, PR China.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|January 21, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Human DAPk-like kinase (Dlk) is down-regulated in cervical cancer. Its overexpression induces apoptosis and suppresses tumor growth, suggesting Dlk as a potential therapeutic target for cervical carcinoma.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The Death-associated protein kinase (DAPk) family comprises pro-apoptotic serine/threonine kinases.
  • While DAPk functions are known, other family members' roles, including Dlk/ZIP kinase, are less understood.
  • Investigating Dlk's role in cancer is crucial for understanding cell death pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the expression pattern of human Dlk/ZIP kinase in cervical cancer.
  • To elucidate the functional role of Dlk in cancer cell apoptosis and proliferation.
  • To explore the mechanism underlying Dlk's pro-apoptotic activity.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of Dlk expression in cervical carcinoma tissues and cell lines.
  • Overexpression studies of Dlk and its kinase-inactive mutant (Dlk-K42A) in cancer cells.
  • Assessment of cell morphology, colony formation, and apoptosis induction.
  • Investigation of Dlk's localization and kinase activity requirements for apoptosis.

Main Results:

  • Dlk expression was significantly downregulated in cervical carcinoma compared to normal tissues.
  • Dlk overexpression induced morphological changes, suppressed colony formation, and increased apoptosis in cancer cells.
  • Both kinase activity and cytoplasmic localization of Dlk were essential for its pro-apoptotic function.

Conclusions:

  • Dlk acts as a pro-apoptotic kinase, playing a positive role in death-related signaling.
  • Downregulation of Dlk contributes to cervical carcinoma development.
  • Restoring Dlk expression presents a potential therapeutic strategy for cervical cancer.

More Related Videos

Utilizing 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging and Quantitative Histology to Measure Dynamic Changes in the Glucose Metabolism in Mouse Models of Lung Cancer06:51

Utilizing 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging and Quantitative Histology to Measure Dynamic Changes in the Glucose Metabolism in Mouse Models of Lung Cancer

Published on: July 21, 2018

Related Concept Videos

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways01:19

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways

Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
Inhibition of CDK Activity02:34

Inhibition of CDK Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...