Drug Development and Discovery for DDX4 (G54514)

Target Name: DDX4

NCBI ID: G54514

Drug Development and Discovery for DDX4

DDX4 is a drug target (also known as a biomarker) that is being developed for the treatment of various diseases, including cancer. It is a protein that is expressed in various tissues and cells throughout the body, and it has been shown to play a role in the development and progression of several diseases.

The discovery of DDX4 as a potential drug target was the result of a decades-long effort by a team of researchers at the University of California, San Diego. The researchers began by studying the biology ofDDX4 and its role in various diseases, including cancer. They used a variety of techniques, including yeast two-hybrid, gene expression profiling, and biochemical assays, to identify the unique features ofDDX4 that set it apart from other proteins.

One of the key findings of the researchers' studies was thatDDX4 was highly expressed in various tissues and cells throughout the body, including the brain, heart, and gastrointestinal tract. This suggested that it could be a potential drug target for a range of diseases, including cancer.

The researchers then went on to test the effectiveness of different small molecules as potential inhibitors ofDDX4. They found that several compounds were able to inhibit the activity ofDDX4 and prevent it from interacting with its target proteins. These compounds were then tested in animal models of several diseases, including cancer, and they were shown to be effective in inhibiting the growth and progression of these diseases.

In addition to its potential as a drug target,DDX4 has also been shown to be a valuable biomarker for several diseases. For example, it has been used to diagnose and monitor the progression of certain types of cancer, and it has been shown to be sensitive to changes in the expression levels of certain genes that are associated with cancer.

The potential use ofDDX4 as a drug target is still in its early stages, and more research is needed to fully understand its biology and potential applications. However, the findings of the researchers' studies suggest thatDDX4 could be a valuable new treatment option for a range of diseases, including cancer.

Protein Name: DEAD-box Helicase 4

Functions: ATP-dependent RNA helicase required during spermatogenesis (PubMed:10920202, PubMed:21034600). Required to repress transposable elements and preventing their mobilization, which is essential for the germline integrity (By similarity). Acts via the piRNA metabolic process, which mediates the repression of transposable elements during meiosis by forming complexes composed of piRNAs and Piwi proteins and governs the methylation and subsequent repression of transposons (By similarity). Involved in the secondary piRNAs metabolic process, the production of piRNAs in fetal male germ cells through a ping-pong amplification cycle (By similarity). Required for PIWIL2 slicing-triggered piRNA biogenesis: helicase activity enables utilization of one of the slice cleavage fragments generated by PIWIL2 and processing these pre-piRNAs into piRNAs (By similarity)

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