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A literature review on function and regulation mechanism of DKK4

Xiaoli Lou1, Yuchen Meng1, Yanqiang Hou1

  • 1Department of Central Laboratory, Songjiang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
|February 15, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Dickkopf-related protein 4 (DKK4) is a key regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. This review details DKK4

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Dickkopf-related protein 4 (DKK4) is a member of the dickkopf family.
  • DKK4 functions as an inhibitor of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
  • Aberrant DKK4 expression is implicated in various diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review genetic variations (SNPs, CNVs), epigenetic modifications (hypermethylation), and regulatory mechanisms of DKK4.
  • To examine the correlation between DKK4 and clinicopathological parameters, and its role in chemotherapeutic resistance.
  • To explore the involvement of DKK4 in diverse biological processes and diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on DKK4.
  • Analysis of DKK4's role in Wnt/β-catenin and Wnt-JNK pathways.
  • Compilation of data on DKK4 expression patterns in different cancers.

Main Results:

  • DKK4 expression is upregulated in Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), Colorectal Cancer, Gastric Cancer (GC), Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), and Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC).
  • DKK4 expression is downregulated in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC).
  • DKK4 influences tumor growth, invasion, migration, and chemotherapy resistance, as well as osteoblastogenesis, hair, and meibomian gland formation. DKK4 is also linked to schizophrenia.

Conclusions:

  • DKK4 is a significant factor in cancer development and progression across multiple tumor types.
  • DKK4's multifaceted roles extend beyond cancer to developmental processes and neurological disorders.
  • Further research into DKK4's mechanisms could yield novel therapeutic strategies.
Keywords:
DKK4HCCJNKWntβ-catenin

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