WT1: A Potential Drug Target and Biomarker for Cancer (G7490)

Target Name: WT1

NCBI ID: G7490

WT1: A Potential Drug Target and Biomarker for Cancer

WT1 (WT-1), a protein that belongs to the Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) gene family, has been identified as a potential drug target and biomarker for various diseases, including cancer. Its unique structure and expression pattern have made it an attractive target for researchers to study and develop new treatments.

The Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) gene is a transmembrane gene that is located on chromosome 18. It is a key regulator of cell growth and division, and is involved in the development and progression of various diseases, including cancer. The WT1 gene has four splice variants, which result in the production of four different proteins, including WT1F, WT1W, WT1Z, and WT1Y.

WT1 is a 21-kDa protein that is expressed in various tissues and organs, including brain, heart, liver, and muscle. Its unique structure, including a N-terminal extracellular domain, a transmembrane region, and a C-terminal T-cell antigen (TCR) domain, makes it an attractive target for drugs that can modulate its activity.

One of the key challenges in studying WT1 is its expression pattern. WT1 is expressed in most tissues and organs, but its levels are highly variable depending on the specific tissue or disease. This makes it difficult to study its effects in a specific context. However, researchers have been able to use techniques such as RNA interference and gene editing to manipulate its expression and study its role in various diseases.

WT1 has been shown to be involved in various signaling pathways, including the T cell signaling pathway. It has been shown to play a role in regulating T cell development, and has been implicated in the development of various types of cancer.

One of the most promising aspects of WT1 is its potential as a drug target. Researchers have been able to create antibodies that can specifically bind to WT1 and inhibit its activity. These antibodies have been shown to be effective in preclinical studies for treating various types of cancer, including breast, lung, and ovarian cancer.

Another promising aspect of WT1 is its potential as a biomarker. Its expression is variable depending on the disease, which makes it a potentially useful marker for diagnosing and monitoring various types of cancer. This is an important potential application of WT1, as current diagnostic tests for cancer are often limited in their ability to detect certain types of cancer.

In conclusion, WT1 is a protein that has great potential as a drug target and biomarker for various diseases. Its unique structure and expression pattern make it an attractive target for researchers to study and develop new treatments. Further research is needed to fully understand its role in the development and progression of various diseases.

Protein Name: WT1 Transcription Factor

Functions: Transcription factor that plays an important role in cellular development and cell survival (PubMed:7862533). Recognizes and binds to the DNA sequence 5'-GCG(T/G)GGGCG-3' (PubMed:7862533, PubMed:17716689, PubMed:25258363). Regulates the expression of numerous target genes, including EPO. Plays an essential role for development of the urogenital system. It has a tumor suppressor as well as an oncogenic role in tumor formation. Function may be isoform-specific: isoforms lacking the KTS motif may act as transcription factors (PubMed:15520190). Isoforms containing the KTS motif may bind mRNA and play a role in mRNA metabolism or splicing (PubMed:16934801). Isoform 1 has lower affinity for DNA, and can bind RNA (PubMed:19123921)

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