DENND3: Potential Therapeutic Targets for Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Target Name: DENND3

NCBI ID: G22898

Other Name(s): DEND3_HUMAN | DENN domain containing 3 | KIAA0870 | DENN domain-containing protein 3 | DENN/MADD domain containing 3

DENND3: Potential Therapeutic Targets for Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases

DENND3 (DEND3_HUMAN) is a protein that is expressed in various tissues of the human body, including the brain, heart, liver, and pancreas. It is a member of the DENN family of proteins, which are known for their role in cell signaling and division.

One of the unique features of DENND3 is its ability to interact with the protein p21 (also known as the retinoblastoma gene). This interaction allows DENND3 to regulate the activity of p21 and prevent it from inhibiting cell growth and division. This is important because p21 is often associated with the development of cancer, and DENND3 may have potential as a drug target or biomarker for cancer.

In addition to its role in cell signaling and division, DENND3 is also involved in the regulation of inflammation and immune responses. This is important because DENND3 has been shown to play a role in the immune response to infection, and may be a potential target for the development of vaccines or anti-inflammatory drugs.

DENND3 is also of interest because it is expressed in a variety of tissues and cells, including the brain, which suggests that it may be involved in the regulation of brain function. This is important because DENND3 has been shown to play a role in the regulation of brain development and plasticity, which may make it a potential target for the development of drugs that improve cognitive function or treat neurological disorders.

Finally, DENND3 is also of interest because it is a good candidate for a therapeutic target in diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and autoimmune diseases. This is because DENND3 has been shown to play a role in the regulation of cell growth and division, which may be important for the development and progression of these diseases.

In conclusion, DENND3 is a protein that is expressed in various tissues of the human body that is involved in the regulation of cell signaling and division, inflammation, and immune responses. Its unique ability to interact with the protein p21 and its role in the regulation of brain function make it of interest as a potential drug target or biomarker for a variety of diseases. Further research is needed to fully understand the role of DENND3 in these diseases and its potential as a therapeutic target.

Protein Name: DENN Domain Containing 3

Functions: Guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) activating RAB12. Promotes the exchange of GDP to GTP, converting inactive GDP-bound RAB12 into its active GTP-bound form (PubMed:20937701). Regulates autophagy in response to starvation through RAB12 activation. Starvation leads to ULK1/2-dependent phosphorylation of Ser-472 and Ser-490, which in turn allows recruitment of 14-3-3 adapter proteins and leads to up-regulation of GEF activity towards RAB12 (By similarity). Also plays a role in protein transport from recycling endosomes to lysosomes, regulating, for instance, the degradation of the transferrin receptor and of the amino acid transporter PAT4 (PubMed:20937701). Starvation also induces phosphorylation at Tyr-858, which leads to up-regulated GEF activity and initiates autophagy (By similarity)

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