DKK-1 is a member of the DKK protein family which also includes DKK-2, DKK-3 and DKK-4. DKK-1 was originally identified as a Xenopus head forming molecule that behaves as an antagonist for Wnt signaling. Subsequent studies have shown that DKK-1 and DKK-4 play an important regulatory role in the Wnt /β-catenin signaling pathway by forming inhibitory complexes with LDL receptor-related proteins 5 and 6 (LRP5 and LRP6), which are essential components of the Wnt/βcatenin signaling system. LPR5 and LPR6 are single-pass transmembrane proteins that appear to act as co-receptors for Wnt ligands involved in the Wnt/βcatenin signaling cascade. It has been suggested that by inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which is essential for posterior patterning in vertebrates, DKK-1 permits anterior development. This notion is supported by the finding that mice deficient of DKK-1 expression lack head formation and die during embryogenesis. Recombinant human DKK-1 expressed in human 293 cells is a 35-40 kDa glycoprotein containing 235 amino-acid residues.
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