DKK4
DKK4 (dickkopf Wnt signalling pathway inhibitor 4) is a secreted member of the dickkopf family that antagonises canonical Wnt signalling. It acts at the Wnt co-receptor LRP5/6 and is studied in development, bone biology and disease. Browse Assay Genie's current range of DKK4 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
DKK4 antagonises canonical Wnt signalling through two routes described in the UniProt annotation. It inhibits the interaction between LRP5/6 and Wnt, and it forms a ternary complex with the transmembrane protein KREMEN, which promotes internalisation of LRP5/6. NCBI Gene adds that its activity is modulated by binding to the Wnt co-receptor and the co-factor kremen 2.
The DKK4 gene encodes a secreted protein that belongs to the dickkopf family. According to the RefSeq summary, the DKK4 protein contains two cysteine-rich regions and is involved in embryonic development through its interactions with the Wnt signalling pathway. The mouse ortholog is Dkk4, which is useful for researchers who work in murine models.
Dickkopf proteins play an important role in vertebrate development, where they locally inhibit Wnt-regulated processes such as antero-posterior axial patterning, limb development, somitogenesis and eye formation. In the adult, the dickkopf proteins are implicated in bone formation and bone disease, cancer and Alzheimer disease. The gene was previously named dickkopf homolog 4 (Xenopus laevis), reflecting the Xenopus origin of the dickkopf family name. Other family members include DKK1, DKK2 and DKK3, and the related DKKL1.
DKK4 inhibits canonical Wnt signalling by blocking LRP5/6 interaction with Wnt and by promoting LRP5/6 internalisation with KREMEN.
Dickkopf proteins locally inhibit Wnt-regulated processes including axial patterning, limb development, somitogenesis and eye formation.
In the adult, dickkopf proteins are implicated in bone formation and bone disease, making DKK4 relevant to skeletal Wnt studies.
Dickkopf proteins are implicated in cancer and Alzheimer disease, prompting investigation of DKK4 in these settings.
DKK4 is a secreted antagonist of canonical Wnt signalling. It inhibits LRP5/6 interaction with Wnt and forms a ternary complex with KREMEN that promotes LRP5/6 internalisation. It contributes to embryonic development through its interactions with the Wnt pathway.
The approved name is dickkopf Wnt signalling pathway inhibitor 4, and UniProt lists Dickkopf-related protein 4. Earlier HGNC names include dickkopf (Xenopus laevis) homolog 4 and dickkopf homolog 4 (Xenopus laevis). No alternative gene symbols are recorded.
A mouse ortholog, Dkk4, exists. DKK4 belongs to the dickkopf family, whose members are implicated in bone disease, cancer and Alzheimer disease in the adult. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other dickkopf family members and related Wnt pathway targets with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q9UBT3; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.