DKK4

DKK4 is a protein that is a member of the dickkopf family. The secreted protein contains two cysteine rich regions and is involved in embryonic development through its interactions with the Wnt signaling pathway. Activity of this protein is modulated by binding to the Wnt co-receptor and the co-factor kremen 2.

Full Name

Dickkopf WNT Signaling Pathway Inhibitor 4

Function

Antagonizes canonical Wnt signaling by inhibiting LRP5/6 interaction with Wnt and by forming a ternary complex with the transmembrane protein KREMEN that promotes internalization of LRP5/6. DKKs 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, Dkks are implicated in bone formation and bone disease, cancer and Alzheimer disease (By similarity).

Biological Process

Negative regulation of canonical Wnt signaling pathway Source: GO_Central
Negative regulation of hair follicle placode formation Source: Ensembl
Negative regulation of Wnt signaling pathway Source: UniProtKB
Wnt signaling pathway Source: UniProtKB-KW

Cellular Location

Secreted

PTM

Appears to be not glycosylated.
Can be proteolytically processed by a furin-like protease.