DKK1 Human
Description
DKK1 is fused to a 23 amino acid His-tag at N-terminus & purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
DKK1 is a secreted protein characterized by two cysteine-rich regions. These regions are crucial for its function as they allow DKK1 to interact with other proteins. The primary role of DKK1 is to act as an antagonist of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. It achieves this by binding to the LRP6 co-receptor, preventing it from aiding in the activation of the Wnt signaling pathway .
DKK1 plays a significant role in embryonic development. It is involved in the formation of the head, heart, and forelimbs during the anterior morphogenesis of the embryo. The inhibition of the Wnt signaling pathway by DKK1 is essential for proper cranial development. Studies have shown that mice lacking DKK1 exhibit severe cranial defects and do not survive past birth .
Elevated levels of DKK1 have been associated with various medical conditions. For instance, high levels of DKK1 in bone marrow, plasma, and peripheral blood are linked to osteolytic bone lesions in patients with multiple myeloma. Due to its role in inflammation-induced bone loss, DKK1 is being investigated as a potential target for therapeutic strategies in medicine and dentistry .
DKK1 has garnered attention in cancer research due to its dysregulation in various malignancies. Elevated levels of DKK1 have been detected in the serum or tumors of patients with different types of cancers, often correlating with poor prognosis. DKK1’s ability to modulate immune cell activities and the immunosuppressive cancer microenvironment makes it a promising target for cancer immunotherapy .
In vitro studies have shown that DKK1 is one of the most upregulated genes in androgen-potentiated balding. DKK1 messenger RNA is upregulated a few hours after DHT treatment of hair follicles at the dermal papilla. Neutralizing antibodies against DKK1 have been shown to reverse the effects of DHT on outer root sheath keratinocytes .
Research has also linked DKK1 to Alzheimer’s disease. The overproduction of amyloid beta, which clusters to form amyloid plaques between neurons in the brain, disrupts cell function. DKK1 is believed to play a role in this process, making it a potential target for therapeutic intervention in Alzheimer’s disease .
